Before school is back in session, take advantage of your child’s summer off and schedule them for a comprehensive eye exam.
Doctors recommend having your children’s eyes checked during routine wellness visits to the pediatrician, but it is also a great idea to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor.
An ophthalmologist is better able to detect eye diseases such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, as well as less common conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and color deficiency (color blindness).
In addition to scheduling regular eye exams, parents should know the customary warning signs that could indicate your child has a vision problem. These include:
- Wandering or crossing eyes
- Disinterest in reading
- Inability to view distant objects
- Squinting or turning the head while watching television
Parents should also take the proper steps to protect children’s eyes, including wearing protective eyewear during sporting events and when they are out in the sun.