American Academy of Ophthalmology: Check Your Child's Vision Every Two Years

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SAN FRANCISCO , Sept. 6,1996 -- With children heading back to school, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that school age children have a complete medical eye exam by their fourth birthday, and routine eye exams approximately every two years thereafter.

Parents should be aware of signs which may indicate that their child has vision problems, including:

• wandering or crossed eyes
• a family history of childhood vision problems
• disinterest in reading or viewing distant objects
• squinting or turning the head in an unusual manner while watching television

An appointment with an ophthalmologist, pediatrician, or family physician is recommended. Eye exams may also be obtained through school programs, vision testing programs, churches, synagogues, community centers, clubs, or from volunteer organizations such as local Societies to Prevent Blindness.

Common childhood eye problems include:

Refractive errors. Refractive errors are eye conditions that can cause eye strain or a decrease in vision. They are corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses. Hyperopia (farsightedness or the inability to focus on objects at close range) can cause children to cross their eyes. Myopia (nearsightedness or the inability to see clearly at a distance] is uncommon before a child reaches fourth grade.

Amblyopia. Amblyopia, or "lazy eye," occurs when vision develops abnormally during early childhood. It can result from a number of underlying causes and is often difficult to detect. Glasses or eye-strengthening patches are used for treatment, which is most effective in preventing loss of vision when initiated at a very early age.

Strabismus. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes, which causes them to point in different directions. Strabismus is a common condition among children and affects about 4% of all children in the U.S. Glasses or an eye patch are also used to treat strabismus, but surgery may be required in some cases.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology Answers Your Questions About Learning Disabilities

Q: How can I tell if my child has a learning disability?

A: In the United States, approximately 3.4 million children younger than 13 years old have learning disabilities. Signs that may indicate your child has a learning disability include difficulty, avoidance, or extreme dislike of reading; poor handwriting; slow writing speed; difficulty with math; not being able to put information in order; difficulty understanding abstract concepts; memory problems; trouble following instructions or remembering words. It is not unusual for a child to have multiple learning disabilities.

Children with learning disabilities may become frustrated, lose interest in school work, and try to avoid difficult tasks. Personality and behavioral problems may develop due to loss of self-esteem. Watch for signs of withdrawal, anxiety, depression or aggression. Remember that children with learning disabilities need love, understanding, and reassurance that they will do fine in life.

Q: Is a learning disability, such as dyslexia, considered an eye problem?

A: No. Learning disabilities are not problems of the eye or vision. Dyslexia is a serious reading disability that involves switching around letters and words. The eyes transmit visual signals to the brain. The brain determines what it has seen. Dyslexia is only one of several learning disorders that can involve reading, writing, speaking, concentrating, listening and doing math. Since it has been demonstrated that dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities stem from the central nervous system, treatment can be complex.

Q: Who can help my child with his learning disabilities?

A: First, the exact learning disability needs to be identified through school testing or a visit to a physician.

Teachers, tutors, and physicians can all help identify and treat learning disabilities. Educators play key roles in offering early diagnosis and educational follow-up. Constant communication with your child is vital, to assist him or her in continuing educational growth, to help build self- esteem, and to offer reassurance.

Q: I've been told that eye exercises and special prescription glasses are solutions to helping my child overcome his learning disability. Are these treatments recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology?

A: No, the American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend these treatments, because no research proves their effectiveness. Eyes are used for vision, not comprehension. No scientific or medical evidence supports claims that academic abilities of dyslexic or learning disabled children can be improved with special glasses or eye exercises.

Q: How much money should a parent spend on vision therapy to correct a child's learning disabilities?

A: Absolutely none! It is often difficult for parents to accept the fact that their child might suffer from a learning disability. Often, out of concern for their child's well-being, parents go to great lengths to provide vision therapy for their children, including special diets, vitamins, sugar restriction, eye exercises or vision training. After spending valuable time, and often excessive money, on vision therapies, the learning disability remains.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye and vision care. In diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, ophthalmologists provide comprehensive eye exams, prescribe and administer corrective lenses and medicine, and perform surgery. The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons.

For more information about this news release, contact Melissa Hurley, Katy Katzenberger, or Michelle Stephens in the Academy's Media Unit, 415-561-8500.

For information on children's vision, visit the Academy's Internet site, http//www.eyenet.org

CONTACT: Melissa Hurley, Katy Katzenberger, or Michelle Stephens of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 415-561-8500