Detecting vision deficiencies in children early
Detecting vision deficiencies in children early
Good vision is crucial for academic success
Therefore, have your children’s visual acuity checked at our Centers for Good Vision!
Approximately 60 percent of all vision defects are detected too late. Optician Roman Wagner explains what you should know about your children’s eye health.
The new school year is beginning. Children’s attention is once again in higher demand.
However, children with poor vision find it difficult to follow lessons. They tire more quickly. A decline in performance and loss of motivation are the result.
Almost half of all children without an eye test
Nearsightedness often begins during school years and gradually increases. This is especially true if parents and grandparents are also nearsighted. Despite clear recommendations from specialists, about half of all children remain without a current eye test.
Regular eye examinations are essential
Children often cannot recognize vision problems themselves. Here, parents and guardians are required to act early.
If both parents are nearsighted, the children’s eyes should be examined annually; for students with normal vision, at least every three years.
To identify obvious vision problems, you can make an appointment for a visual acuity check at Roman Wagner’s Centers for Good Vision.
To detect more subtle vision problems, specialists recommend having children’s eyes examined by pediatric ophthalmologists or optometrists before they start school.
What parents can do – tips for healthy children’s eyes
- Have the eyes examined and tested by an ophthalmologist by the age of 3 at the latest, regardless of the screening
- During the school years, playfully check whether children can read distant license plates or signs at least as well as you can (ideally with each eye individually)
- Maintain a sufficient distance when reading and doing close-up work; 30 to 40 cm is recommended.
- Watch for signs of vision problems in your offspring: e.g., bumpy reading, problems catching a ball, or tiring quickly when crafting and painting.
- Encourage daily outdoor activities for at least two hours a day.
- Limit time on digital devices to two hours a day.
- If nearsightedness is detected, counteract it with myopia management. Special eyeglass lenses and contact lenses can slow down the progression.
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