The eyes are the primary guide to learning and interacting with the world for most people. Their work starts as soon as they first open (and maybe even before) and doesn’t stop (hopefully) until….....
They are so different from other parts of the body that it’s hard for a parent to always know what’s normal and what’s not. Obviously, a red, swollen, gooey eye needs to be looked at (and an eye care professional, with more specific eye related tools at her disposal, may have an edge over the pediatrician) , but what if my four year old always wants to sit close to the TV? Does that mean she needs her eyes examined? Maybe, maybe not. In a series of short articles over the next few months we’ll take a peek at the eyes and vision development from infancy thru the early school years, and point out some basic things to look for (and to look out for). Some segments may key on a particular age, whereas others will address common questions or concerns. Of course, if you’d ever like more information, please feel free to contact me (at 540-953-0136 or sjacobs07@comcast.net) or speak to your child’s physician.
How do you do an eye exam on an infant, and why would you anyway? Her pediatrician always looks at her eyes when she sees her. She’d know if something were wrong, right?
Maybe. Maybe not. As part of a general check up, a pediatrician usually only has a chance to look for problems that easily stand out. A full infant eye exam provides an amazing amount of information regarding eye health, how the eyes work individually and together, and how the visual system as a whole is developing. Four to ten months is a great time for this kind of check up. Your baby can sit on your lap and will usually look at my light long enough for me to know if there’s much nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism (uneven curvature of the eyes), and for me to see that both eyes are aiming together at the same time, looking at what they should and moving in all directions, and that they’re healthy inside and out. If something out of the ordinary is picked up, addressing it at an early age produces a much better outcome than if it’s not found until kindergarten.
InfantSee, sponsored by the American Optometric Association (AOA), is a wonderful public service program providing no-cost evaluations for infants between six and twelve months. Check it out.
Dr. Steve Jacobs is an optometrist in Blacksburg Virginia who works with patients of all ages. He is a sponsor of NRV Macaroni Kid and you can find him here.
