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The Doctor Is In...
Seeing is Achieving
Dr. Jack Smith, M.D., M.M.M.
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clinical and Program Policy
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs |
We all know the old phrase, “seeing is believing,” but when it comes to early childhood education, “seeing is achieving.” Much of what children learn in school is presented visually, so undiagnosed vision problems can lead to poor academic performance.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),® vision disorders are the fourth most common disability among children in the United States and the leading cause of impaired vision in childhood. The AAP estimates that only 21 percent of all preschool children are screened for vision problems and only 14 percent receive comprehensive vision exams.
It is important to have children screened for vision issues that can affect them in the classroom and for the rest of their lives. The American Public Health Association recommends children get eye exams at ages 6 months, 2 years, 4 years and every other year while they are in school, unless there is a medical reason for more frequent visits.
Routine eye exams ensure eye health and detect nearsightedness (problems seeing at a distance), farsightedness (problems seeing close up) and astigmatism (an irregularly shaped cornea). Routine exams test for vision problems that may interfere with a child’s vision development and academic performance.
Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is the most common cause of vision impairment in children according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In people with amblyopia, the vision in one eye is reduced because the eye and brain are not working together. Left uncorrected, amblyopia may lead to functional blindness in the affected eye. Although there is sight in the lazy eye, the brain “shuts off” this eye because of blurred vision. The brain then elects to see only with the strong eye.
Strabismus, also known as crossed eyes, is caused by a lack of coordination between the eyes. According to the National Institutes of Health, this leads to eyes that do not focus at the same time on a single point. Strabismus is the most common cause of amblyopia.
Some signs a child might have vision difficulties are:
- Squinting, closing or covering one eye
- Holding reading materials close to the face
- Sitting closer than expected to the television or computer screen
- Losing his or her place while reading
- Headache, nausea or dizziness
- Excessive clumsiness
- Performing below potential
Through the well-child benefit, TRICARE covers children (regardless of plan) for one eye and vision screening at birth and age 6 months by their primary care provider. It also covers one routine eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist every two years beginning at age three. The routine eye exams offered between the ages of three and six should include screening for amblyopia and strabismus. After age 6, the children of active duty service members can begin receiving an annual eye exam and the children of retirees enrolled in TRICARE Prime can receive one every two years.
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