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Amblyopia is when vision in one or both eyes does not develop properly during childhood. It is sometimes called lazy eye. Amblyopia is a common problem in babies and young children.

A child's vision develops in the first few years of life. It is important to diagnose and treat amblyopia as early as possible. Otherwise, a child with amblyopia will not develop normal, healthy vision.

What Is the Cause of Lazy Eye?

Amblyopia can develop from other eye and vision problems. Here are some conditions that may cause amblyopia in a child.

Strabismus

Strabismus is when the eyes point in two different directions. One eye may be focused straight ahead while the other turns in, out, up, or down. To avoid seeing double, the child's brain may ignore the image from the eye that is not focused straight ahead. But this can keep that eye from developing properly.

Refractive errors

Having a refractive error means being nearsighted, farsighted, or having astigmatism (distorted or blurry vision). A child may have a refractive error that is worse in one eye. That eye can "turn off," and vision will not develop properly. This can be difficult to tell since the child's vision seems fine when using both eyes.

Cloudiness in the normally clear parts of the eye

Some children are born with a cataract, where the eye's normally clear lens is cloudy. This can keep vision from developing properly in that eye.

Droopy eyelid

Ptosis, or a droopy eyelid, can block vision in a child's developing eye and lead to amblyopia.

Your child might not be aware of having better vision in one eye than the other. And you may not realize it either unless your child has strabismus or another eye problem you can see.

Amblyopia Diagnosis

Ophthalmologists diagnose amblyopia by checking to see if vision differs between the two eyes. To check a baby's or young child's vision, the ophthalmologist may cover one of the child's eyes and watch how well they can follow a moving object. The doctor may also watch how the child reacts when one eye is covered. If one eye has amblyopia and the other is covered, the child may try to look above or below the patch, pull it off or cry.

The ophthalmologist will do a complete medical eye exam, looking for other eye problems that could be affecting vision.

Poor vision in one eye does not always mean a child has amblyopia. In some cases, wearing glasses to correct a refractive error in one eye can improve vision.

When Should a Child's Vision Be Tested?

All children should have their vision checked by their pediatrician, family physician or ophthalmologist at or before their 4th birthday. If there is a family history of misaligned eyes, childhood cataracts or serious eye disease, an ophthalmologist should check their eyes when they are an infant.

Most doctors test vision as part of a child's medical exam. If they see any sign of eye problems, they may send a child to an ophthalmologist for further tests.

Amblyopia Treatment

Amblyopia is usually corrected by making the child use their weaker eye. This is often done by putting a patch over the child's stronger eye. In some cases, eye drops can be used to blur vision in the stronger eye. Or the child may wear eyeglasses with a lens that blurs vision in that eye.

It generally takes several weeks to several months to strengthen vision in the weaker eye. Once the child has better vision in that eye, they may need to wear an eye patch part-time for a few years. This is because there is a chance that eye can weaken again. Remember to keep all appointments with the child's ophthalmologist who will carefully monitor your child's vision.

How to Choose and Use an Eye Patch

An eye patch should be comfortable, yet remain firmly in place. It should also not allow the child to peek around its edges. Most drug stores have a variety of sizes and types of eye patches. Decorated fun patches are available online. Do not use the black eye patches with elastic bands or ties (such as a pirate-type patches). These are too easy for a child to remove or peek around. To wear the patch, simply attach it to the skin around your child's eye.

If your child wears glasses, there are patches designed to attach to the lens. These may be good for children who are used to wearing a patch, but they are not as good for a child new to treatment. This is because the patch can slip or the child may learn to peek around it. If your child wears glasses and is not used to patching, it is best to attach the patch directly around the stronger eye underneath the glasses.

Keep Your Child from Taking Off the Eye Patch

Children do not like to have their stronger eye patched or blurred. However, you need to help your child do what is best for them. Otherwise, treatment will not work.

Try distracting the child or having them do something that keeps their attention. Or reward the child with a treat for wearing the patch.

It can take a while for your child to get used to wearing a patch. Over time, this should get easier for them and you. Remember that strengthening the weaker eye is the only way to develop healthy, normal vision.

If your child still takes off the patch, as a last resort, you might cover his or her hands with gloves, mittens, or socks.

Teach Your Child About the Eye Patch

Pre-school or school-age children might not want to wear an eye patch or use blurring eye drops. To help, parents should explain how important these treatments are to be able to see well. And reassure them that lots of children wear eye patches for the same reason.

Consider having a very young child practice putting an eye patch on a doll. Or let the child decorate his or her patch with crayons or markers.

Explain the amblyopia treatment to the child's teacher. Ask the teacher to compliment the child on being so good about wearing the patch. Children thrive on positive feedback from their teachers.

Things to consider with patching treatment:

In very rare instances it is possible to overuse the patch or blurring eye drops. This can affect vision in the stronger eye. Be sure to keep the child's appointments with the ophthalmologist so that vision in both eyes can be closely monitored.

The skin near your child's eye patch can get irritated. To help, try a different size or type of patch, and angle the patch differently each day.

Your child may initially be clumsy when wearing a patch. Try to keep an eye on your child when they are climbing stairs or being active.

Surgery to Correct Causes of Amblyopia

In some cases, the ophthalmologist will recommend surgery to correct certain eye problems causing amblyopia. After surgery, the child may need to keep wearing a patch or otherwise cover the stronger eye until his or her vision improves.

It is possible to prevent vision loss from amblyopia. But treatment only works if your child uses their weaker eye alone to see.

Treating Amblyopia Using New Technology

A new treatment for amblyopia uses a virtual reality (VR) headset to help improve vision in children aged 4 to 7. A child watches videos wearing the headset, which helps them use their weaker eye. To learn more, ask your child's ophthalmologist.

Treating Amblyopia for Better Lifelong Vision

When a child has amblyopia, it is important to make vision stronger in the weak eye. Even if eye problems causing amblyopia are corrected with glasses or surgery, the amblyopia itself must be treated. If not, the child may have lifelong vision problems.

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Amblyopia is when vision in one or both eyes does not develop properly during childhood. It is sometimes called "lazy eye."

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This video was made by Dr. Dan L. Fortenbacher, founder of Wow Vision Therapy. In this video he gives an insight into what may cause Amblyopia(Lazy Eye), some treatment options, and some things you can do to help with it. It is a great video resource.

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Advanced Treatment for Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)  | Wow Vision Therapy

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Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) | National Eye Institute

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Amblyopia (also called lazy eye) is a type of poor vision that happens in just 1 eye. It develops when there’s a breakdown in how the brain and eye work together and the brain can’t recognize the sight from one eye. Learn about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of lazy eye.

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There are many different types of eye conditions that could be affecting your eyesight or could have long-term consequences if not treated properly or promptly. We list some of the more common conditions below. If you think you or someone in your family has one of these conditions, please contact Emerald Coast Eye Care in Panama City for an exam and recommendations.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Lazy eye, medically known as amblyopia, is a loss or lack of development of vision, usually in one eye. This degenerative process usually begins with an inherited condition and appears during infancy or early childhood. Lazy eye needs to be diagnosed between birth and early school age since it is during this period that the brain "chooses" its visual pathway and may ignore the weaker eye permanently.

Lazy eye is not always easy to recognize since a child with worse vision in one eye does not necessarily have lazy eye. Because of this, it is recommended that all children, including those with no symptoms, have a comprehensive eye examination by the age of three and sooner if there is a family history of any eye condition or disease. If you suspect a problem, or need to set up your child's first eye examination, contact Emerald Coast Eye Care to set up an appointment.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a general term for an inflammation of the eyelid and eyelashes. It is among the most common and stubborn eye conditions usually resulting from poor eyelid hygiene, a low-grade bacterial infection (usually staphylococcal), an allergic reaction and/or abnormalities in oil gland function.

Like some other skin conditions, blepharitis can be controlled but not cured. The main goals in treating it are to reduce the amount of bacteria along the lid margin and open plugged glands. Contact Emerald Coast Eye Care to assess the severity of your problem and the best treatment method.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's normally clear lens, which leads to a progressive blurring or dimming of vision. It is the world's leading cause of blindness and among the most common conditions related to aging - by age 65, you have a 50 percent chance of developing a cataract, and, by age 75, it jumps to 70 percent.

A cataract starts out small and initially has little or no effect on vision. As the cataract progresses, it becomes harder to read and perform other normal tasks. In the early stages, your doctor may recommend stronger eyeglasses and adjusting your lighting to reduce glare. When cataracts disrupt your daily life, your doctor may recommend cataract-removal surgery, which is one of the most frequent and successful procedures done in the U.S.

Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer Vision Syndrome is characterized by neck pain, blurry vision, stiff shoulders, headache and watery eyes when working in front of a computer screen. The symptoms are typically due to posture, dry eyes, eye muscle coordination and poorly corrected vision.

Since computer monitors are typically 20 to 26 inches from your eyes, your regular glasses may not be the best option for computer work. This distance range is considered intermediate - closer than what you use to drive a car but farther away than what you use to read. Special lens designs for computer work provide you with a larger intermediate area for viewing the computer and your immediate work area like the top of your desk. Emerald Coast Eye Care can help you determine if these special lenses are appropriate for you.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome refers to a breakdown in the quantity or quality of tears to moisten, cleanse and protect the eyes. This is significant because, with each blink, tears protect the surface of the eye, washing away dust and microorganisms. When this protective coating dries up, the eyes may feel "gritty" or burn and can be more sensitive to light. In extreme cases, vision can be blurred.

If you suspect that you have dry eye, see your eye doctor. Proper care will not only increase your comfort - it will protect your eyes. Your eye care provider can perform a series of tests to determine if you have dry eyes.

Strabismus

Cross-eyed, medically known as strabismus, refers to a condition in which eyes are misaligned. It commonly occurs when the muscles that control eye movement are not properly working together. The result is one or both eyes turning inward, outward, upward or downward, or one or both eyes moving irregularly.

Strabismus is usually diagnosed during childhood and affects about 4 percent of children, afflicting boys and girls equally. Though it cannot be prevented, its complications can be avoided with early intervention. Even if you notice symptoms intermittently - when your child is ill, stressed or fatigued - alert your eye care provider.

Emerald Coast Eye Care has the experience and equipment necessary to diagnose and often treat the eye conditions detailed above at our office in Panama City. For more information please schedule an appointment with W. Payton Patterson, OD, and we will be in touch with you shortly.

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Eye Conditions Treated at Emerald Coast Eye Care in Panama City FL

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Click for a brief description of the various eye conditions we see and treat at Emerald Coast Eye Care in Panama City, Florida.

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this site give a qiuck look at the symptoms, how the test is down, and treatments for Amblyopia (lazy eye)

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Find out more about a lazy eye (amblyopia), a condition where the vision in 1 eye does not develop properly.

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Dr. Marsha K. Sorenson gives a very indepth explanation of on Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) and how vision therapy is helpful as a treatment.

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How Vision Therapy Can Treat Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) | Visual Symptoms Treatment Center

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An estimated 1.25 million children in North America are affected by some form of visual impairment that impacts their daily living. Ranging from nearsightedness to lazy eye to cross-eye, these visual problems can have a drastic impact on their performance in the classroom, which may lead them to lag behind their peers.

Fortunately, there are certain steps that educators can take to help their students with visual problems succeed. First, let's explain the link between vision and learning.

Why are Visual Skills Necessary For Learning?

Because up to 80% of classroom learning is vision-based, it is no wonder that children with subpar visual skills may lag behind their peers academically.

We're not referring to visual acuity, such as myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness), but rather the visual skills that rely on brain-eye communication. Problems with these skills can only be detected during a functional visual exam.These vision skills include eye teaming, tracking, accommodation, and focusing, all of which are critical for proficient reading, writing, and reading comprehension.

Teachers of school-aged children with poor visual skills can implement certain strategies to accommodate and even improve students' academic performance. Below we've listed a few suggestions.

How Educators Can Help Students With Vision-Related Learning Challenges

1. Consider Where Your Students Should Be Seated

Make sure your students are seated facing the whiteboard. They should not have to look over their shoulder or turn around to see what the teacher is writing on the board. Some classrooms have students seated at round tables, forcing some children to turn around to see the front of the classroom. While this type of seating arrangement has its benefits, it is not appropriate for children with visual impairments, as they may find it difficult to quickly shift their gaze.

2. Pay Attention to Their Visual Needs

Try to meet the students' visual needs. For example, if a child is expected to wear glasses for certain tasks, make sure that the child follows through. If the child doesn't comply, consider speaking with the child's parents.

3. Optimize Classroom Lighting

If you know that a certain student has a visual problem, seat them so that they aren't in direct sunlight or under a shadow. Natural lighting is preferred, but when this isn't possible, tungsten light bulbs are generally favored by the eye over fluorescent lighting. Please note that any flickering light bulb should be changed without delay.

4. Choose a Teaching Method That Accommodates Their Vision

Below are steps you can take to help students with poor visual skills:

Use black or dark-colored markers on the whiteboard. Avoid bright colored markers like orange, red, and yellow.

While writing on the board, say the words/numbers aloud to assist those who may have difficulty reading or seeing the text.

Avoid using language that relies heavily on vision, such as "like this one" or "over there."

Be patient when a student with subpar visual skills stares off into space or daydreams. This is often a symptom of visual dysfunction, rather than a lack of attention.

How We Can Help

At Vision Development of WNY, our goal is to help each child reach their full potential by strengthening any visual skill deficiencies.

We treat children with many types of visual dysfunctions, often using a specialized form of therapy called vision therapy. Vision therapy trains the eyes to focus better or work as a team (among many other visual skills) by strengthening the eye-brain connection.

To learn more or to ask any questions, contact Vision Development of WNY today.

Vision Development of WNY serves patients from Elma, Buffalo, SouthTowns, Western New York, and throughout New York.

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4 Ways To Help Your Students With Vision-Related Learning Difficulties

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An estimated 1.25 million children in North America are affected by some form of visual impairment that impacts their daily living. Ranging from nearsightedness to lazy eye to cross-eye, these visual problems can have a drastic impact on their performance in the classroom, which may lead them to lag behind their peers.

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How poor vision affects your child in school

Proper vision is required for all aspects of school, from reading a whiteboard or a book to being able to play during P.E. and recess. When kids have trouble with their eyesight, these daily tasks can become difficult and overwhelming.

Trying to focus on schoolwork is especially hard if you literally can't focus. If your child has a vision problem, they may struggle to stay on task and understand assignments, both of which can lead to slipping grades.

Poor vision is not limited to visual acuity (the ability to see clearly). Children can also experience problems with:

One or more of these issues can cause students to struggle in school, and you may see them face some of these challenges:

Not being able to read the whiteboard or overhead slideshows

Struggling to participate in physical activities during P.E. or recess

Trouble reading books or worksheets, and consequently misunderstanding related assignments

Inability to focus on computer or tablet screens

Headaches from vision problems, which can make learning even more difficult

Feeling discouraged or embarrassed because of their poor vision

Losing their place while reading

SEE RELATED: Are learning-related vision issues holding your child back?

Vision problems of school-aged children

Learning and vision are strongly connected, and it's important to be able to identify the signs of common vision problems. Knowing that will give you a better idea of what you can do to help your child.

Myopia (nearsightedness) is a refractive error that affects nearly 30% of the U.S. population. One of the most common vision issues among kids, it makes it difficult to see faraway objects clearly, such as whiteboards, signs and presentations. Myopia is typically managed with eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Having trouble seeing things that are far away isn't the only vision issue a child may struggle with. Other common vision problems may include:

Hyperopia (farsightedness). This refractive error makes close-up objects appear blurry. If left uncorrected, hyperopia can have profound negative effects on reading, writing, test-taking and learning.

Functional vision problems. Difficulty moving your eyes together in one line is considered a functional vision problem. These conditions - such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye) - can affect vision, academic performance and/or self-esteem.

Vision perception problems. This is when it's hard to connect a word to a picture of what that word represents in your brain. Note that perception issues are not related to visual clarity but instead to how a child's brain interprets visual information.

Color blindness. When a child is unable to recognize colors properly, it can affect their ability to play matching games or identify colors on a map. Color blindness is hereditary and found more often in males.

If you suspect your child is experiencing a problem with their vision, be sure to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam. This is the best way to get a proper assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan for your child.

SEE RELATED: 12 hidden signs your child may need glasses

Measurable benefits of proper vision in school children

Studies have shown that children who need vision correction have improved success in school after getting glasses, including lifts in learning and reading scores. Many students also improve their concentration in the classroom after receiving vision correction.

Case study: Vision for Baltimore

After data determined that 25% of Baltimore public school system students needed glasses, Vision for Baltimore launched to provide free eye care and eyewear to children in need.

In the years since its inception, Vision for Baltimore has reached several milestones, including:

A Johns Hopkins research team conducted a clinical study during the program's first three years. From 2016 to 2019, Vision for Baltimore provided eye screenings, exams and eyeglasses to 2,304 students. These students' standardized test scores were evaluated and compared year by year.

After one year, there were significant improvements in the reading and math scores of students who received vision correction. It was also noted that the students who seemed to need the most help showed the greatest improvements.

With the help of the community, thousands of students have been able to improve their vision and their academics.

Case study: Vision to Learn

Other programs around the country have continued to expand on the same concept. One of these programs is Vision to Learn, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit (and partner of Vision for Baltimore) that provides screenings, exams and glasses for children in low-income families across 500 different cities in America.

They do so by partnering with schools and sending mobile eye clinics to campuses to provide comprehensive eye exams for those in need. After a student's exam, they are provided with custom corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses within two weeks.

In 2013, UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital performed a study on the program to record the advancements students made after receiving vision correction. A group of schools in California participated, and the results showed the following measurable improvements:

There was once a stigma around getting glasses, but this disappeared after groups of students got glasses at the same time. The kids also showed excitement after being given the opportunity to choose their own frames.

Additionally, the study conducted interviews with parents and teachers to find out what they observed about students after they got the vision correction they needed.

Teachers explained that students who tended to create distractions seemed to be more engaged in the classroom once their vision improved. Parents reported that their children's lives also improved at home and that their anxiety around going to school had lifted after they got glasses.

Overall, students showed improvements in concentration, which heightened their general performance in school.

What parents can do to help

Every child deserves the chance to do well in school, and every parent wants their child to have whatever they need to succeed. If a vision impairment is keeping your child from thriving at school, there are many things you can do to help, including:

1. Talk to your child about school. Ask them how well they can concentrate, see the whiteboard, and read their books and worksheets.

2. Look for signs of vision impairment. If you notice your child squinting while reading or doing homework, ask if they're having trouble seeing the text on the page. Also look for a short attention span, eye rubbing, eye covering, head tilting, and holding books close to their face to read.

3. Keep track of school vision screenings. School nurses perform vision screenings to check for possible issues. If your child doesn't pass the vision screening, the nurse will refer you to an eye doctor for a comprehensive exam. Just be aware that vision screenings do not detect all vision issues. [Read more on eye exams vs. vision screenings.]

4. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam every year. Regardless of when your child's last vision screening was, regular comprehensive exams are still very important. Not all children's vision issues present with symptoms and vision screenings are not able to detect all vision issues.

5. Encourage your child to wear their glasses or contact lenses. Many children struggle with wearing glasses for the first time. Remind them how cool they look and how much better they function in their new glasses. (And be sure to listen to their concerns as well - they may need an updated prescription or a frame adjustment for a better fit).

Teachers, coaches and other education leaders spend their days teaching and observing your child's progress in school. If someone reaches out to you about your child's vision, be sure to ask what they noticed so you can bring it up to your child's eye doctor.

All these things can help support your child, their eye and vision health, and their academic performance.

READ NEXT: ADHD in children: 60-second assessment

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How Your Child's Vision Affects Their Academic Performance

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A vision impairment can make focusing and learning difficult for your child in school. But with the right corrective lenses, his or her performance can skyrocket.

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A Short article on on lazy eye and some common causes, treatments and some problems associated with untreated Amblyopia

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Many eye conditions and diseases can affect children’s vision. It is important that children receive good eye care even at an early age, because that is when many vision problems begin. The leading cause of vision impairment in children is amblyopia.

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Babies learn to see over a period of time, much like they learn to walk and talk. They are not born with all the visual abilities they need in life. The ability to focus their eyes, move them accurately, and use them together as a team must be learned. Also, they need to learn how to use the visual information the eyes send to their brain in order to understand the world around them and interact with it appropriately.

From birth, babies begin exploring the wonders in the world with their eyes. Even before they learn to reach and grab with their hands or crawl and sit-up, their eyes are providing information and stimulation important for their development.

Eye and vision problems in infants can cause developmental delays. It is important to detect any problems early to ensure babies have the opportunity to develop the visual abilities they need to grow and learn. Parents play an important role in helping to assure their child's eyes and vision can develop properly.

Baby's first eye exam

Even if no eye or vision problems are apparent, at about age 6 months, you should take your baby to a doctor of optometry for his or her first thorough eye examination. Your doctor of optometry will test for many things, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism as well as eye movement ability and eye alignment. Your doctor will also check the overall health of the eyes. Eye health problems are not common, but if present early detection and treatment offer the best option.

InfantSEE ® managed by Optometry Cares ®-The AOA Foundation is the American Optometric Association's public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, participating doctors of optometry provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment between 6 and 12 months of age as a no-cost public service. Visit the InfantSEE website to learn more and locate a doctor in your area who can provide a free infant assessment.

Steps in infant vision development

At birth, babies can't see as well as older children or adults. Their eyes and visual system aren't fully developed. But significant improvement occurs during the first few months of life. The following are some milestones to watch for in vision and child development. It is important to remember that not every child is the same and some may reach certain milestones at different ages.

Birth to 4 months

At birth, babies' vision is abuzz with all kinds of visual stimulation. While they may look intently at a highly contrasted target, babies have not yet developed the ability to easily tell the difference between two targets or move their eyes between the two images. Their primary focus is on objects 8 to 10 inches from their face or the distance to the parent's face.

During the first months of life, the eyes start working together and vision rapidly improves. Eye-hand coordination begins to develop as the infant starts tracking moving objects with his or her eyes and reaching for them. By eight weeks, babies begin to more easily focus their eyes on the faces of a parent or other person near them.

For the first two months of life, an infant's eyes are not well coordinated and may appear to wander or to be crossed. This is usually normal. However, if an eye appears to turn in or out constantly, an evaluation is warranted.

Babies should begin to follow moving objects with their eyes and reach for things at around three months of age.

5 to 8 months

During these months, control of eye movements and eye-body coordination skills continue to improve.

Depth perception, which is the ability to judge if objects are nearer or farther away than other objects, is not present at birth. It is not until around the fifth month that the eyes are capable of working together to form a three-dimensional view of the world and begin to see in-depth.

Although an infant's color vision is not as sensitive as an adult's, it is generally believed that babies have good color vision by 5 months of age.

Most babies start crawling at about 8 months old, which helps further develop eye-hand-foot-body coordination. Early walkers who did minimal crawling may not learn to use their eyes together as well as babies who crawl a lot.

9 to 12 months

At around 9 months of age, babies begin to pull themselves up to a standing position. By 10 months of age, a baby should be able to grasp objects with thumb and forefinger.

By twelve months of age, most babies will be crawling and trying to walk. Parents should encourage crawling rather than early walking to help the child develop better eye-hand coordination. * Babies can now judge distances fairly well and throw things with precision.

1 to 2 years

By 2 years of age, a child's eye-hand coordination and depth perception should be well developed.

Children this age are highly interested in exploring their environment and in looking and listening. They recognize familiar objects and pictures in books and can scribble with crayons or pencils.

Signs of eye and vision problems

The presence of eye and vision problems in infants is rare. Most babies begin life with healthy eyes and start to develop the visual abilities they will need throughout life without difficulty. But occasionally, eye health and vision problems can develop. Parents need to look for the following signs that may be indications of eye and vision problems:

Excessive tearing may indicate blocked tear ducts.

Red or encrusted eyelids could be a sign of an eye infection.

Constant eye turning may signal a problem with eye muscle control.

Extreme sensitivity to light may indicate an elevated pressure in the eye.

The appearance of a white pupil may indicate the presence of eye cancer.

The appearance of any of these signs should require immediate attention by a doctor of optometry.

What parents can do to help with visual development

There are many things parents can do to help their baby's vision develop properly. The following are some examples of age-appropriate activities that can assist an infant's visual development.

Birth to 4 months

Use a nightlight or other dim lamp in the baby's room.

Change the crib's position frequently and change the child's position in it.

Keep reach-and-touch toys within the baby's focus, about eight to twelve inches.

Talk to the baby while walking around the room.

Alternate right and left sides with each feeding.

5 to 8 months

Hang a mobile, crib gym, or various objects across the crib for the baby to grab, pull and kick.

Give the baby plenty of time to play and explore on the floor.

Provide plastic or wooden blocks that can be held in the hands.

Play patty cake and other games, moving the baby's hands through the motions while saying the words aloud.

9 to 12 months

Play hide and seek games with toys or your face to help the baby develop visual memory.

Name objects when talking to encourage the baby's word association and vocabulary development skills.

Encourage crawling and creeping.

1 to 2 years

Roll a ball back and forth to help the child track objects with the eyes visually.

Give the child building blocks and balls of all shapes and sizes to play with to boost fine motor skills and small muscle development.

Read or tell stories to stimulate the child's ability to visualize and pave the way for learning and reading skills.

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Infant Vision: Birth to 24 Months of Age

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Healthy eyes and good vision play a critical role in infant and child development. Early detection of problems ensures babies have an opportunity to develop visual abilities needed to grow and learn.

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Every experience a preschooler has is an opportunity for growth and development. They use their vision to guide other learning experiences. From ages 2 to 5, a child will be fine-tuning the visual abilities gained during infancy and developing new ones.

Stacking building blocks, rolling a ball back and forth, coloring, drawing, cutting, or assembling lock together toys all help improve important visual skills. They are developing the visually-guided eye-hand-body coordination, fine motor skills and visual perceptual abilities necessary to learn to read and write.

Steps taken at this age to help ensure vision is developing normally can provide a child with a good "head start" for school. Preschoolers are eager to draw and look at pictures. Also, reading to young children is important to help them develop strong visualization skills as they "picture" the story in their minds.

This is also the time when parents need to be alert for the presence of vision problems like crossed eyes or lazy eye. These conditions often develop at this age. Crossed eyes or strabismus involves one or both eyes turning inward or outward. Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a lack of clear vision in one eye, which can't be fully corrected with eyeglasses. Lazy eye often develops as a result of crossed eyes but may occur without noticeable signs.

In addition, parents should watch their child for an indication of any delays in development, which may signal the presence of a vision problem. Difficulty with recognition of colors, shapes, letters, and numbers can occur if there is a vision problem. The preschool years are a time for developing the visual abilities that a child will need in school and throughout his or her life.

Understanding the difference between a vision screening and an eye examination

It is important to know that a vision screening by a child's pediatrician or at his or her preschool is not the same as a comprehensive eye and vision examination by a doctor of optometry. Vision screenings are a limited process and can't be used to diagnose an eye or vision problem, but rather may indicate a potential need for further evaluation. They may miss as many as 60% of children with vision problems. Even if a vision screening does not identify a possible vision problem, a child may still have one.

Passing a vision screening can give parents a false sense of security. Many preschool vision screenings only assess one or two areas of vision. They may not evaluate how well the child can focus his or her eyes or how well the eyes work together. Generally, color vision, which is important to the use of color-coded learning materials, is not tested.

Between the ages of 3 and 5, your child should have a thorough, in-person optometric eye examination to make sure his or her vision is developing properly and there is no evidence of eye disease. If needed, your doctor of optometry can prescribe treatment, including eyeglasses and/or vision therapy, to correct a vision development problem.

With today's diagnostic equipment and tests, a child does not have to know the alphabet or how to read to have his or her eyes examined.

Here are several tips to make your child's eye examination a positive experience:

1. Make an appointment early in the day and allow about one hour.

2. Talk about the examination in advance and encourage your child's questions.

3. Explain the examination in terms your child can understand, comparing the E chart to a puzzle and the instruments to tiny flashlights and a kaleidoscope.

Unless your doctor of optometry advises otherwise, your child's next eye examination should be when he or she starts school, around 5 years of age. By comparing the test results of the two examinations, your doctor of optometry can tell how well your child's vision is developing for the next major step into the school years.

Signs of eye and vision problems

According to the American Public Health Association, about 10% of preschoolers have eye or vision problems. However, children this age generally will not voice complaints about their eyes. Parents should watch for signs that may indicate a vision problem, including:

Sitting close to the TV or holding a book too close.

Squinting.

Tilting their head.

Covering an eye.

Frequently rubbing their eyes.

Short attention span for the child's age.

Turning of an eye in or out.

Sensitivity to light.

Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination when playing ball or bike riding.

Avoiding coloring activities, puzzles, and other detailed activities.

If you notice any of these signs in your preschooler, arrange for a visit to your doctor of optometry.

What parents can do to help with preschool vision development

Playing with other children can help developing visual skills. There are everyday things that parents can do at home to help their preschooler's vision develop as it should. There are a lot of ways to use playtime activities to help improve different visual skills. Toys, games and playtime activities help by stimulating the process of vision development. Sometimes, despite all your efforts, your child may still miss a step in vision development. Therefore, vision examinations at ages 3 and 5 are important to detect and treat these problems before a child begins school. Here are several things that can be done at home to help your preschooler continue to successfully develop his or her visual skills:

Practice throwing and catching a ball or bean bag.

Read aloud to your child and let him or her see what is being read.

Provide a chalkboard or finger paints.

Encourage play activities requiring hand-eye coordination such as block building and assembling puzzles.

Play simple memory games.

Provide opportunities to color, cut and paste.

Make time for outdoor play including ball games, bike/tricycle riding, swinging and rolling activities.

Encourage interaction with other children.

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From ages 2 to 5, a child will be fine-tuning and developing new visual abilities. A child should have a thorough, in-person optometric eye examination, between the ages of 3 and 5.

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Reading, writing, chalkboard work and using computers are among the visual tasks students perform daily. A child's eyes are constantly in use in the classroom and at play. When his or her vision is not functioning properly, education and participation in sports can suffer.

As children progress throughout their education, they face increasing demands on their visual abilities. The size of print in textbooks becomes smaller and the amount of time spent reading and studying increases significantly. Increased workload and homework place significant demands on the child's eyes and children depend on their vision to function properly so they can learn efficiently and excel.

Vision skills needed for school

Vision is more than just the ability to see clearly or having 20/20 eyesight. It is also the ability to understand and respond to what is seen. There are many basic visual skills beyond seeing clearly that are important to supporting academic success.

Every child needs to have the following vision skills for effective reading and learning:

Visual acuity-the ability to see clearly in the distance for viewing the chalkboard, at an intermediate distance for the computer and up close for reading a book.

Eye Focusing-the ability to quickly and accurately maintain clear vision as the distance from objects change, such as when looking from the chalkboard to a paper on the desk and back. Eye focusing allows the child to easily maintain clear vision over time like when reading a book or writing a report.

Eye tracking-the ability to keep the eyes on target when looking from one object to another, moving the eyes along a printed page or following a moving object like a thrown ball.

Eye teaming-the ability to coordinate and use both eyes together when moving the eyes along a printed page, and to be able to judge distances and see depth for classwork and sports.

Eye-hand coordination-the ability to use visual information to monitor and direct the hands when drawing a picture or trying to hit a ball.

Visual perception-the ability to organize images on a printed page into letters, words and ideas and to understand and remember what is read.

Other visual perceptual skills include:

Recognition-the ability to tell the difference between letters like "b" and "d".

Comprehension-"picture" in the child's mind what is happening in a story he/she is reading.

Retention-remember and recall details of what we read.

If any of these visual skills are lacking or not functioning properly, a child will have to work harder to learn as effectively. Students who struggle with a learning-related vision problem may experience headaches, eyestrain and fatigue. Parents and teachers need to be alert for symptoms that may indicate a child has a vision problem.

Signs of eye and vision problems

When certain visual skills have not developed, or are poorly developed, learning is difficult and stressful. A child may not tell you that he or she has a vision problem because they may think the way they see is the way everyone sees. Children will typically attempt to do the work, but with a lowered level of comprehension or efficiency.
Signs that may indicate a child has a vision problem include:

Complaints of discomfort and fatigue.

Frequent eye rubbing or blinking.

Short attention span.

Avoiding reading and other close activities.

Frequent headaches.

Covering one eye.

Tilting the head to one side.

Holding reading materials close to the face.

An eye turning in or out.

Seeing double.

Losing place when reading.

Difficulty remembering what he or she read.

Undetected and untreated, vision problems can elicit some of the very same signs and symptoms commonly attributed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), like hyperactivity and distractibility. Due to these similarities, children eliciting these symptoms should have a comprehensive vision exam with their doctor of optometry to avoid misdiagnosis.

Back-to-school eye exams

A comprehensive eye examination is as essential for back-to-school success as supplies for learning.

Because vision may change frequently during the school years, your child should receive an eye examination every year, or more frequently if specific problems or risk factors exist, or if recommended by your doctor of optometry. Unfortunately, parents and educators often incorrectly assume that if a child passes a school screening, there is no vision problem. The most common vision problem in school-aged children is blurry vision or refractive error caused by nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism resulting in blurry vision. However, a child who can see clearly and have 20/20 vision can still have a vision problem relating to eye focusing, eye tracking and eye coordination. In reality, the vision skills needed for successful reading and learning are much more complex.

A vision screening is not a comprehensive exam. Even if a child passes a vision screening, they should receive a comprehensive eye examination. You can read more about the AOA's evidence-based guidelines for children's eye exams in this executive summary

Vision changes can occur without your child or you noticing. The earlier a vision problem is detected and treated, the more likely treatment will be successful. When needed, the doctor can prescribe treatment including eyeglasses, contact lenses, and/or vision therapy to correct vision problems.

Sports vision and eye protection

Indoor and outdoor sports are an enjoyable and important part of most children's lives. Whether playing catch in the back yard or participating in team sports at school, vision plays an important role in how well a child performs.

Specific visual skills needed for sports include:

Clear distance vision.

Good depth perception.

Wide field of vision.

Effective eye-hand coordination.

A child who consistently underperforms a certain skill in a sport, such as always hitting the front of the rim in basketball or swinging late at a pitched ball in baseball, may have a vision problem. If visual skills are not adequate, the child may continue to perform poorly. Correction of vision problems with eyeglasses or contact lenses or a program of eye exercises called vision therapy can correct many vision problems, enhance vision skills and improve sports vision performance. Eye protection should also be a major concern to all student-athletes, especially in certain high-risk sports. Thousands of children suffer sports-related eye injuries each year and nearly all can be prevented by using the proper protective eyewear.

Regular prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses are not a substitute for appropriate, well-fitted protective eyewear. Athletes need to use sports eyewear that is tailored to protect their eyes while playing their specific sport. Your doctor of optometry can recommend specific sports eyewear to provide the level of protection needed. In addition, many sports are played outdoors, thus it is also important for all children to protect their eyes from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation in sunlight by wearing UV protection grade sunglasses or transition lenses when appropriate.

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School-Aged Vision: 6 to 18 Years of Age

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A child needs basic visual skills beyond seeing clearly to succeed in school. When his or her vision is not functioning properly, education and participation in sports can suffer.

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Every experience a preschooler has is an opportunity for growth and development. They use their vision to guide other learning experiences. From ages 2 to 5, a child will be fine-tuning the visual abilities gained during infancy and developing new ones.

Stacking building blocks, rolling a ball back and forth, coloring, drawing, cutting, or assembling lock together toys all help improve important visual skills. They are developing the visually-guided eye-hand-body coordination, fine motor skills and visual perceptual abilities necessary to learn to read and write.

Steps taken at this age to help ensure vision is developing normally can provide a child with a good "head start" for school. Preschoolers are eager to draw and look at pictures. Also, reading to young children is important to help them develop strong visualization skills as they "picture" the story in their minds.

This is also the time when parents need to be alert for the presence of vision problems like crossed eyes or lazy eye. These conditions often develop at this age. Crossed eyes or strabismus involves one or both eyes turning inward or outward. Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a lack of clear vision in one eye, which can't be fully corrected with eyeglasses. Lazy eye often develops as a result of crossed eyes but may occur without noticeable signs.

In addition, parents should watch their child for an indication of any delays in development, which may signal the presence of a vision problem. Difficulty with recognition of colors, shapes, letters, and numbers can occur if there is a vision problem. The preschool years are a time for developing the visual abilities that a child will need in school and throughout his or her life.

Understanding the difference between a vision screening and an eye examination

It is important to know that a vision screening by a child's pediatrician or at his or her preschool is not the same as a comprehensive eye and vision examination by a doctor of optometry. Vision screenings are a limited process and can't be used to diagnose an eye or vision problem, but rather may indicate a potential need for further evaluation. They may miss as many as 60% of children with vision problems. Even if a vision screening does not identify a possible vision problem, a child may still have one.

Passing a vision screening can give parents a false sense of security. Many preschool vision screenings only assess one or two areas of vision. They may not evaluate how well the child can focus his or her eyes or how well the eyes work together. Generally, color vision, which is important to the use of color-coded learning materials, is not tested.

Between the ages of 3 and 5, your child should have a thorough, in-person optometric eye examination to make sure his or her vision is developing properly and there is no evidence of eye disease. If needed, your doctor of optometry can prescribe treatment, including eyeglasses and/or vision therapy, to correct a vision development problem.

With today's diagnostic equipment and tests, a child does not have to know the alphabet or how to read to have his or her eyes examined.

Here are several tips to make your child's eye examination a positive experience:

1. Make an appointment early in the day and allow about one hour.

2. Talk about the examination in advance and encourage your child's questions.

3. Explain the examination in terms your child can understand, comparing the E chart to a puzzle and the instruments to tiny flashlights and a kaleidoscope.

Unless your doctor of optometry advises otherwise, your child's next eye examination should be when he or she starts school, around 5 years of age. By comparing the test results of the two examinations, your doctor of optometry can tell how well your child's vision is developing for the next major step into the school years.

Signs of eye and vision problems

According to the American Public Health Association, about 10% of preschoolers have eye or vision problems. However, children this age generally will not voice complaints about their eyes. Parents should watch for signs that may indicate a vision problem, including:

Sitting close to the TV or holding a book too close.

Squinting.

Tilting their head.

Covering an eye.

Frequently rubbing their eyes.

Short attention span for the child's age.

Turning of an eye in or out.

Sensitivity to light.

Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination when playing ball or bike riding.

Avoiding coloring activities, puzzles, and other detailed activities.

If you notice any of these signs in your preschooler, arrange for a visit to your doctor of optometry.

What parents can do to help with preschool vision development

Playing with other children can help developing visual skills. There are everyday things that parents can do at home to help their preschooler's vision develop as it should. There are a lot of ways to use playtime activities to help improve different visual skills. Toys, games and playtime activities help by stimulating the process of vision development. Sometimes, despite all your efforts, your child may still miss a step in vision development. Therefore, vision examinations at ages 3 and 5 are important to detect and treat these problems before a child begins school. Here are several things that can be done at home to help your preschooler continue to successfully develop his or her visual skills:

Practice throwing and catching a ball or bean bag.

Read aloud to your child and let him or her see what is being read.

Provide a chalkboard or finger paints.

Encourage play activities requiring hand-eye coordination such as block building and assembling puzzles.

Play simple memory games.

Provide opportunities to color, cut and paste.

Make time for outdoor play including ball games, bike/tricycle riding, swinging and rolling activities.

Encourage interaction with other children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From ages 2 to 5, a child will be fine-tuning and developing new visual abilities. A child should have a thorough, in-person optometric eye examination, between the ages of 3 and 5.