Early diagnosis important in treating eye problems in children

October 2, 2009

School aged children might eventually receive eye care if an adult notices that they are having difficulty reading the chalkboard or focusing on their text books. However, many would benefit from early vision screenings, the Spectrum reports.

The American Optometric Association(AOA) recommends that all children undergo an eye exam when they are six months old, and another at three years as amblyopia, sometimes referred to as "lazy eye," takes longer to treat if it goes undetected until teenage or adult years.

Amblyopia is reduced vision in one eye which is underdeveloped and underused. There are many causes for the condition, that usually develops before the age of six, according to the AOA.

There are a variety of treatment options for Amblyopia. Some are designed to strengthen the weaker eye, such as wearing an eye patch over the dominant eye. Doctors may also prescribe prisms and perscription glasses. "Vision therapy teaches the two eyes how to work together, which helps prevent lazy eye from reoccurring," that AOA says.

Amblyopia can lead to neurological development problems since loss of vision occurs in the brain. It may also slow other areas of development such as literacy, which requires clear vision, according to the news source.