A child should first visit an optometrist for an initial comprehensive eye examination at six months of age, and again at age three. The optometrist will check eye health, eye movement skills, focusing abilities and whether or not common vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness are present.
- An estimated one percent of preschoolers are nearsighted. They see clearly up close, but not at a distance. Prescription glasses can usually restore sharp, clear distance vision.
- About seven percent of preschoolers are sufficiently farsighted to require vision correction. They see better at a distance than up close, but usually must exert extra effort to bring their vision into sharp, clear focus at near and far distances. Mild farsightedness is usually no problem, but more significant cases require prescription lenses to improve near, and sometimes far, vision.
- Astigmatism significant enough to require treatment affects about two percent of preschoolers. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, becomes irregular in shape. Symptoms range from distorted or blurred vision to headaches, fatigue, squinting, eye irritation and discomfort. Prescription glasses can correct this problem.
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