Is your Child Getting Proper Care?

pediatric eye careAt Silverstein Eye Center, families from the Chester, NJ area can find the friendly care they need to maintain healthy eyes and clearer vision throughout their lives. It is important to us that our patients’ needs are met to the best of our ability. For that to happen, both we and our patients need to be able to identify what those needs are. Children are in an interesting predicament of not being able to express something like “hey, I can’t see that ball coming at me!” It is up to parents and healthcare providers to look out for children’s best interests.

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Let’s look at how we can work together to monitor young people’s vision appropriately.

An Early Start

Most parents will schedule pediatric check-ups for their children starting within the first weeks of life. These visits to monitor physical and cognitive development are important measures of progress toward walking, talking, and learning. But there’s something missing in the general physical that is just as important: vision.

A baby should undergo an eye exam around the age of six months. This is because the six-month mark is generally when vision starts to become sharp and vibrant. More colors can be perceived by the infant’s eye at this time, and a greater range of distance is now present. Six months is not too early to detect subtle discrepancies that are affecting how well the child sees.

One of the conditions that could be identified during an early childhood eye exam is amblyopia. This muscular condition is better known as “lazy eye.” When one eye is “lazy,” it simply means that the muscles around that eye have not developed the strength that the other eye has. An eye patch is usually placed over the stronger eye to build up muscle strength around the other eye to promote better vision as the child grows.

Children should have a second eye exam when they are 3 to 4 years old, and one more before entering kindergarten. From that point on, a yearly exam is ideal. Changes in vision in school-aged children can affect their learning. Most conditions that may occur in childhood, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, can be managed with prescription eyeglasses.

Does your child need an eye exam? We provide care for patients of all ages. Call Silverstein Eye at 908-879-7297.

Posted in: Pediatric Eye Care

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