CHILD VISION DEVELOPMENT AND CARE

A child’s vision gets stronger every year.

The developing eye is learning to do many things better, such as:

Accommodation or eye focusing. This allows the eye to quickly change focus between distances
Seeing things in 3D (three dimensions). This is known as depth perception.
Tracking, which helps the eyes follow a moving target.
Convergence, which helps both eyes focus together on an object at the same time.

Vision Development Milestones

Vision at 3 to 4 Years Old

Enhanced hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. This is evident as a child is stronger with puzzles or building toys.
Improved visual memory helps children copy shapes like a circle when drawing. They may recall certain memories to tell a story visually.
Can read most lines of an eye chart.

Vision at 4 to 6 Years Old

Letter and object recognition. A child begins reciting the alphabet and naming different types of money.
Reading skills. Improved convergence (eyes moving together) helps a child follow the words from left to right across the page.
When both eyes work well together, depth perception is fully developed. This helps a child judge distances between objects and themselves. A child with good depth perception feels comfortable playing sports or moving confidently through the world.

Watch for milestones, but remember that children develop at different rates. While delays can be normal, discuss it with your doctor when you see one. Watch for signs of vision problems, like head tilting, blinking or squinting a lot, or avoiding reading.

Common Childhood Vision Problems

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors are very common. They cause blurry vision and are corrected with glasses or contact lenses. There are three main refractive errors:

Farsightedness (hyperopia)
Close objects are blurry to a child (such as when reading), and distant objects are seen more clearly. Most children are minimally to moderately farsighted.
Nearsightedness (myopia)
A child sees near objects more clearly than distant objects. Children with myopia getting growth hormone therapy should get an eye exam before and during treatment.
Astigmatism
With astigmatism, near and far vision are blurry. It’s almost like looking into a fun house mirror in which you appear too tall, wide, or thin.

It is possible to have two or more refractive errors simultaneously. Refractive errors can lead to more serious vision problems and interfere with school performance without treatment.

Strabismus

Strabismus occurs when the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. Both eyes must work together for healthy vision to develop into adulthood.

Amblyopia

Amblyopia (lazy eye) is when one or both eyes do not develop normal vision during childhood. Eye problems like strabismus or refractive errors keep the eye from seeing correctly. This leads to a lazy eye.

A child is not likely to tell you their vision is blurry. And often, a parent does not see signs of strabismus, amblyopia, or refractive errors. This is why screening for eye disease during these critical years is so important.

Tips to Help Your Child’s Vision as They Grow

Sharpen Vision Skills

Puzzles, building blocks, peg boards and similar toys for hand-eye coordination.
Making jewelry/stringing beads.
Painting and drawing.
Playing catch with a soft, child-safe ball.

Protect Vision

Sunglasses and hats when outdoors.
Regular eye screenings and exams.

Ensuring proper vision correction in childhood is vital for your child’s comprehensive development. Clear vision not only enhances learning and social interactions but also plays a critical role in ensuring their safety. When vision issues go uncorrected, it can result in significant challenges at school, behavioral issues, and a detrimental impact on self-esteem. Investing in your child’s ocular health today paves the way for their brighter future tomorrow.

Tips for Selecting Eyeglasses with Trivex Lenses

Lens Material
Trivex lenses are highly recommended for children due to their superior optical clarity, impact resistance, and lightweight nature. They also provide 100% UV protection, safeguarding your child’s eyes during outdoor activities.
Frame Fit
Ensure the frames fit comfortably and securely on your child’s face. Frames should not pinch the nose or ears and should stay in place during movement.
Durability
Select frames made from robust materials that can withstand the active lifestyle of children. Flexible hinges and sturdy construction can enhance the longevity of the eyeglasses.

You can support your child’s visual development and overall well-being by prioritizing proper vision correction and selecting appropriate eyeglasses.

More time outdoors may lower a child’s risk for myopia. A study looked at kids who spent 40 extra minutes outdoors each day. These kids lowered their risk of getting myopia or more severe myopia (stronger prescriptions/eyeglasses). The kids who spent more time indoors (reading or on their devices) were likelier to get myopia or severe myopia.

While there is no direct link, the study supports that balancing outdoor time with indoor time benefits a child’s health and well-being.