FOCUS ON CHILDREN

An infant responds to her parent’s face with a beaming grin. A toddler learns to manipulate and explore the world he sees around him. At school, approximately 80% of learning is visual.

As parents, we are very much aware of how important vision is to our children. Most of us know that our kids should have an eye exam at an early age, because there are problems that may be interfering with learning and development that we can’t always be expected to observe. Sadly however, numerous studies agree that only about 15% of children have had a comprehensive eye examination by the time they start school.

Studies have also shown that about one in six children has a vision problem that can affect their learning. Some conditions, if not detected early enough, may leave a child permanently impaired. Most parents are anxious to ensure that their children have the best chance possible to reach their potential and succeed in life.

Young children seldom complain of vision problems. They are not aware that they don’t see differently than others. They simply adapt, and what they don’t see, they don’t pay attention to. In many cases, vision difficulties are at the root of learning or behavioral problems.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) is deeply concerned about the unfulfilled need for early childhood eye care, and together with its member provincial optometrists’ associations, has launched the Children’s Vision Initiative. This program attempts to inform parents about the need for their children to have their eyes examined, and to influence government education ministries and local school boards to recommend or require eye exams when children enter school. It also provides education to optometrists, so they will be amply prepared to care for the children that visit them, and can be part of the impetus to increase the percentage of children that have their eyes examined at an early age.

The CAO recommends that children have a comprehensive eye exam before their third birthday and again before starting school and every one to two years after that, to ensure continued good vision. Information on eye care issues, for children and adults, can be found on the CAO web site: www.opto.ca. The site also has a search engine that can locate an optometrist in or near your community.

Optometrists are highly trained doctors who can see vision problems coming, sound the warning and offer treatment. Please don’t wait; make an appointment today.

By Dr. Paul Geneau, OD

Dr. Paul Geneau is an optometrist practicing in Nanaimo, British Columbia. He is a member of the board of the CAO, and has been active with the Children’s Vision Initiative.