This is a question that has weighed on my mind for a while now. Recently, L has started having trouble seeing the bottom line of the eye chart when they tested her at the doctor’s office and at school. I have been questioning myself if I should seek an eye doctor’s second opinion or just wait till she is older to do a full eye exam. I was able to talk to VSP Provider, Dr. Bazan, to help answer this question.
Dr. Bazan alerted me that all kids after the age of 6 months, should receive an eye exam with an actual eye doctor. What is the reasoning behind this? There is way more in depth steps to an exam than just reading letters off of a chart. Optometrist’s need to see that a child’s eyes are healthy on the inside and out. Several different steps are used to ensure the eyes are healthy. Lights and lenses are used to see how the eyes are moving and the motions of the eye. A regular pediatrician is not able to do a full eye exam since they do not have the proper equipment in their office. Tests are completed to get a better number than just receiving a number if they cannot read a certain line off of the eye chart. After talking with Dr. Bazan, I went ahead and made the girls eye doctor appointments. There are diseases that can be caught early if seen annually by an optometrist.
I also asked about family history of eye sight. I have wore glasses since a teenager, so I always wonder if genetics have any pull with M and L’s eye sight. The old saying goes: “The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Family history definitely plays a role with eye sight and can also play a role in eye diseases.
What are signs that your child is having problems with their eye sight
Is the child too far from the object they are trying to focus on?
Is the child too close to an object?
Is the child straining to see?
Is the child avoiding certain activities?
These are all tell-tale signs that a child needs to be checked. As mentioned before, Dr. Bazan recommends an annual eye exam with all kids over the age of 6 months of age. 80% of learning comes from eyes. You want to know their eyes are healthy and be 100% sure. Make it an annual routine.
Dr. Bazan had a great recommendation for adults too that are always behind a screen while working. 20/20/20 Rule – Every 20 minutes, take 20 second break and look 20 feet .
Help other kids get the glasses and eye exams they need. It only takes a few seconds and will help Boys & Girls Club members in your local area and around the country. It is completely free to take and is as simple as these steps:
To take the free VSP Eye Pledge:
· Go to www.seemuchmore.com/eyepledge
· Pledge to take care of your eye health, which is an integral part of your overall health
· Share the Pledge with your friends and family so they can help out local children in need as well!
· Direct the donation to either the local club of your choice (by inserting your zip code) or the club in the U.S. with the most need
Take the pledge and then make your child’s eye exam appointment. You will be glad you did!
Disclosure: This post is part of an ambassadorship program with VSP. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.
