Eyes Right! Your Child’s Vision

What is more beautiful than your child’s bright eyes? How well they see with those eyes is important to learning and development. Parents and teachers need to be aware that a child might not know if their vision is normal. This tip sheet provides tips for monitoring a child’s vision and addressing concerns.

Arrange for regular vision screenings.

Newborns are checked for general eye health in the hospital nursery and at well-baby visits. Illinois requires yearly vision screening for all preschool children 3 years of age or older in any public or private preschool program or licensed child care center. If screening finds a problem, the child should see an eye doctor. Before they enter kindergarten, children need a complete vision exam and an eye alignment evaluation by an eye doctor.

Be aware of risk factors.

A child may need more frequent eye exams if they were premature or have developmental delays. Other risk factors include an eye injury, other illnesses, or a family history of eye disease.

Learn the signs of possible eye and vision problems.

Parents should talk to their health care provider if their infant’s eyes—

Always turn in or out, or they don’t appear straight in photographs
Don’t appear to move together normally by age 3 months
Appear very different from each other
Don’t focus on a parent’s face by 3 months, or on toys held in front of them by 6 months
Have pupils that are NOT black, round, and in the center of each eye

Parents should talk to their health care provider if their preschooler—

Squints, rubs their eyes, or frequently has teary eyes
Sits too close to the television or holds a book too close
Tilts their head or closes one eye to see better
Is more sensitive to light than their peers
Avoids activities that require near vision, such as looking at a book, or activities that require distance vision, such as catching a ball
Complains frequently of headaches or tired eyes

How can I find an eye doctor?

Do you think your child has an eye problem? If so, ask their regular health care provider for a referral to an eye doctor for a full exam. Catching eye problems early can prevent later difficulties. Many county health departments offer eye tests for children over 3 years old. For general information, contact your local department of public health.

If your child needs eyeglasses, let them help pick out the frames. Explain how wearing them will help them see words in a book better or recognize their friends across the playground.

vision-en

PDF