Children's eye health is in the hands of the adults around them, especially their parents and pediatrician. Regular eye exams are very important for children to rule out and prevent any eye problems.
Good vision is crucial for children's healthy development. Therefore, it is vital that those who are part of a child's life are able to identify any potential vision problems.
At Clínica Nivaria we know that the first eye exam is the most important, but do you know when it should be done?
To maintain good eye health, regular eye exams are highly recommended. And in the case of children, preventing a visual impairment from becoming a more serious problem is crucial. An undetected vision problem in a child could lead to other issues: attention deficit, learning difficulties, or even problems developing social skills.
At Clínica Nivaria, we have a specialized Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit. Our specialists recommend that the first eye exam should take place around the age of 3.
When a young child cannot see well, they do not usually tell their parents, generally because they are not aware of what is happening to them.
What signs might indicate an eye problem?
- When the child has a certain deviation in one of his eyes.
- If we suspect problems seeing clearly up close or far away.
- When there is constant tearing or redness of the eyes.
- When the child is unable to focus their gaze properly and constantly moves their eyes.
- When abnormalities are detected in the eyelids, such as a droopy eyelid.
- When a whitish pupillary reflex is detected.
What do we do at Clínica Nivaria during a pediatric eye exam?
The first thing to consider is factors as important as family history, the child's development since birth, whether they have problems performing at school, among others.
Primarily during an eye exam:
- We determine the children's visual acuity for distance and near vision
- We perform refraction tests (objective and subjective).
- We evaluate binocular vision.
- We value color perception, especially if there is a family history of color blindness.
- From the age of 7, we check the children's focus system.
What can we expect from an eye exam for our son or daughter?
In Pediatric Ophthalmology we know that visual acuity increases in childhood and does not reach 100% until 7 or 8 years of age.
It's important to check that the vision in both eyes is equal. For example, if it isn't, it could be amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. This condition is common, and early diagnosis is vital.
The position of the eye in each direction of gaze must be correct, and in this way, all types of strabismus are ruled out.
At Clínica Nivaria, we have a specialized Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to provide the best and most attentive eye care in Tenerife.
