October 9, 2000
Section: HEALTH
Page: 01-D
When should I take my child for her first eye exam? She's 9 months old, but I don't think she can see well.

According to eye-care specialists, every child should have a comprehensive eye exam at six months, again at three years, and another before starting school.
Vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States and the most prevalent handicapping condition in childhood. If left untreated, they can profoundly affect a child's development.

At your child's first eye exam, the doctor will test for eye movement ability, farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, amblyopia (lazy eye), and strabismus (crossed eyes), as well as other problems. These problems are not common, but it is important to identify children who have them because vision development and eye problems can be more easily corrected if treatment is begun early.

According to the National Eye Institute, visual impairment in children is associated with developmental delays and the need for special education, vocation, and social services. A trip to the eye doctor can literally change your child's outlook and future.

For more information, contact the American Optometric Association at www.aoanet.org or the National Eye Institute at www.nei.nih.gov.
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