Your child’s vision helps them take in the world around them. But it also plays an important role in their development. If your child has an uncorrected vision problem, it may affect their ability to learn and reach their highest potential. Having a routine eye exam is important to keep their eyes healthy.

In the United States, about 1 in 4 preschool-aged children have an undiagnosed or untreated vision problem. Because many vision problems begin at an early age, you should make sure your child gets regular eye exams to help keep their eyes healthy. Healthy vision is important for your child’s overall development and learning ability.

You can do a lot to protect your child’s developing vision. Keep reading to learn how to help your child see the bright future they have ahead.

If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, ask their pediatrician to help you find an eye doctor.

As your child grows, their eyes can change quickly. Your child's pediatrician will likely screen your child's vision as part of their regular checkups. If they find signs of a vision problem, they may recommend an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.

A vision screening is an exam used to identify the children in need for additional eye care. It can be done by a family doctor, pediatrician, school nurse, or other health care professional.

A comprehensive eye exam is a thorough exam done by an eye doctor—a specialist called an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The eye doctor can diagnose your child's medical or vision problem and provide treatment.

If you have any concerns about your child's vision, ask their pediatrician to help you find an eye doctor. Early detection and treatment are key to protecting your child's vision.

If your child has a vision problem, it could affect their school performance. Eye exams and treatment can improve:

• Learning.
• Testing.
• Class participation.
• Behavior.
• Self-confidence.

Parents and teachers can help children by being aware of common vision problems.

Refractive errors

Refractive errors occur when light doesn't correctly focus on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). This condition causes blurred vision. This eye condition includes:

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Astigmatism (when the cornea or lens has a different shape than normal)

Amblyopia (lazy eye)

This condition occurs when vision in one eye is reduced because of a communication error in the brain. The brain will rely more and more on the stronger eye, while vision in the weaker eye gets worse.

Strabismus (crossed eyes)

This eye condition can affect one or both eyes. When a child has strabismus, their eyes do not focus on the same object at the same time. As a result, their eyes have trouble maintaining the correct position.

Convergence insufficiency

This eye condition affects how the eyes work together when looking at objects close up. Convergence insufficiency can cause blurry or double vision while looking at any object close up, like a book or digital device.

If you notice your child squinting, rubbing their eyes, or complaining of headaches after doing schoolwork, have their vision checked. An eye doctor can check for eye conditions and other vision problems and provide treatment if needed.

Eye injuries occur in all parts of the eye: inside the eye, on the eyelid, under the eye, and around the eye. Everyday items like a pencil, a fork, or even a toothbrush can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Running or playing with a sharp object in hand is a common cause of eye injuries. Outside the classroom, power equipment like a lawnmower can send pieces of rocks and twigs flying in the child's direction, putting the face and eyes at risk. Chemicals like cleaners and hand sanitizers can also cause serious eye injuries.

Some common causes of eye injuries in young children include:

• Flying objects like toy rockets, darts, fireworks, bungee cords, and projectiles from toy guns
• Sticks, branches, and stones
• Toys with antennas
• Crayons, pencils, and pens
• Sharp edges of furniture (countertops, tables)
• Kitchen utensils
• Tools and equipment (garden tools, lawn mowers, screw drivers, nails, and screws)
• Household and classroom cleaners and chemicals (hand sanitizer, bleach, dish detergent, laundry and dishwasher pellets, and nail polish remover)
• Bites or scratches from pets
• Sports (especially basketball, soccer, and baseball)

Head Start staff and families can prevent eye injuries when they understand the causes of eye injuries, supervise children, and set up rules for safe play.

Follow these tips to prevent eye injuries:

• Actively supervise children at all times.
• Give and enforce rules for safely using toys, games, and other items in the classroom or home-based setting.
• Make sure a child never aims a toy at another child.
• Keep toys with small parts and sharp edges away from young children. Toys with edges or points — even toy blocks — need supervision during play.
• Do not allow dangerous toys to be brought into the classroom or out to the playground.
• Follow suggested age guidelines. Remember that age labeling is for ability levels and safety.
• Look for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) designation on toys.
• Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website for recalls on toys and equipment that aren't safe.
• Have safety goggles for children to wear while playing sports. Starting this habit at a young age will help children continue to wear safety goggles as they get older.
• Encourage wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UV-A and UV-B sunrays when playing outside on sunny days.

Injuries to the eye can cause permanent vision loss. Act quickly if a child is injured in or near their eye. Learn what caused the injury, apply appropriate first aid, and get immediate medical help.

Administer the proper type of first aid, depending on the cause of injury:

• Chemical: Rinse the eye immediately for at least 15 minutes with water OR hold the child's face under a faucet to rinse the eye.
• Foreign body in the eye: Allow the eye to tear or rinse out the eye with a commercial eyewash to dislodge the particle. Do not try to remove the particle with tweezers.
• Blow to the eye: Seek medical care if the child complains of pain, has blurred vision, has blood in the eye, or has any change in the appearance of the eye, including discolored skin around the eye.
• Cut or puncture to the eye
  • Do not rinse the eye or try to remove any particles or objects lodged in the eye.
  • Cover the eye with an eye shield or with a paper or plastic foam cup from the brow to the cheekbone. Secure it in place with adhesive tape.
  • Do not allow the child to rub their eye.
  • Do not bandage or place pressure.
  • Seek immediate medical care.

Some children have been injured by getting alcohol-based hand sanitizer in their eyes. The chemicals can cause serious injury to the eye.

• Safely store sanitizers and all household chemicals away from children.
• Adults should pump hand sanitizer for children. Do not place sanitizer pumps where children can reach them. Do not use stands that pump the sanitizer at a child's eye level.
• Try to prevent children from rubbing their eyes after using hand sanitizer.
• Provide first aid if a child gets hand sanitizer in their eye. Flush the eyes and get immediate medical care.

Eat well: Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which contain necessary vitamins and minerals, can help protect your child's vision.

Limit screen time: Increased screen time can make uncorrected vision problems worse. Limit screen time each day and have your child take frequent breaks to protect their vision. Taking breaks also helps with other near-vision activities like reading, writing, or drawing.

Get enough sleep: Our bodies and eyes heal when we sleep. Without enough sleep, it could be harder for your child's eyes to recover from everyday use or irritants in the environment.

Spend time outdoors: Many children spend hours each day doing near-vision activities. Going outdoors allows them to look at distant objects. This lets their eyes recover from strain and fatigue. Playing outdoors also helps kids to be physically active and get essential vitamin D.

Use protective eyewear and sunglasses: About 90% of eye injuries can be prevented with protective eyewear. If your child is involved in sports or other activities, make sure they wear protective eyewear to avoid injuries. You can also protect your child's eyes from the sun with sunglasses that have 100% ultraviolet (UV) protection. Exposure to UV rays over time can be harmful to the eyes.

Get regular eye exams so an eye doctor can follow your child's vision through development. If anything changes, you can treat and manage your child's vision quickly.