Eye exams for children are important

Wisconsin's Appleton Post-Crescent (9/7, Dums) reported, "Children often cannot communicate they are having vision problems because they do not realize they are having them." Screenings "at a pediatrician's office or at school" often "miss problems that kids are having that they can't verbalize," said Carin LaCount, OD, who explained that uncorrected vision problems may even "hamper learning." She recommended that "children get their eyes examined by an optometrist." Dan Nowak, OD, pointed out that as children's "bodies change, their eyes change." Annette Wilde, OD, noted that "eye exams can begin as early as six months and can be free, if done by eye doctors participating in the public health program InfantSee." After that "early exam, children's eyes should be checked at three years of age, kindergarten, and then every year," Dr. Wilde said. In particular, children who have "a family history of vision problems" need to see an optometrist. (courtesy AOA)