Tip Sheets
Eyes Right! Your Child’s Vision
What is more beautiful than your child's bright eyes? How well he sees with those eyes is important to his learning and development. Parents and teachers need to be aware that a child might not know if his vision is normal.
Arrange for regular vision screenings.
Newborns are checked for general eye health in the hospital nursery and at well-baby visits. Three-year-olds need an eye and vision screening test. Illinois requires yearly vision screening for all preschool children 3 years of age or older in any public or private preschool program or licensed child care center. Before they enter kindergarten, children need another vision test and an eye alignment evaluation. If screening finds a problem, the child needs to see an eye doctor.Be aware of risk factors.
A child may need more frequent eye exams if she was premature or has developmental delays. Other risk factors include an eye injury, other illnesses, or a family history of eye disease.Learn the signs of possible eye and vision problems.
Parents should talk to their health care provider if their infant's eyes-- Always turn in or out
- Don't appear to move together normally by age 3 months
- Appear very different from each other
- Don't focus on a parent's face by 3 months, or on toys held in front of him by 6 months
Parents should talk to their health care provider if their preschooler-
- Squints, rubs her eyes, or frequently has teary eyes
- Sits too close to the television or holds a book too close
- Tilts her head or closes one eye to see better
- Is more sensitive to light than her peers
- Avoids activities that require near vision, such as looking at a book, or activities that require distance vision, such as catching a ball
- Complains frequently of headaches or tired eyes
How can I find an eye doctor?
Do you think your child has an eye problem? If so, it's important to take him to an eye doctor for a full exam. Catching eye problems early can prevent later difficulties. Ask your child's regular health care provider for a referral. Many county health departments offer eye tests for children over 3 years old. For general information, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health's Vision and Hearing Program at 800-545-2200 (Voice) or 800-547-0466 (TTY).If your child needs eyeglasses, let her help pick out the frames. Explain how wearing them will help her see words in a book better or recognize her friends across the playground.
To learn more about vision in young children, visit these Web sites.
- Illinois Administrative Standards and Procedures for Vision Screening
http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/
admincode/077/07700685sections.html - Eye Exam ABCs
http://www.eyehealthillinois.org/ispb/content/eye-examination-abcs - Vision Problems of Preschool Children
http://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/preschool.htm - Vision Checklist for Teachers, Parents
http://www.children-special-needs.org/parent.html - Your Child's Vision
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/vision.html - A Visit to the Eye Doctor (requires free Flash 6 player installation)
http://www.uic.edu/com/eye/LearningAboutVision/
EyeSite/VisitToEyeDoctor/index.shtml
Spanish: La visión de su hijo
Disclaimer
The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.
The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.