School related vision problems more often than not, go unnoticed until children begin school,” said Alyssa Sherwood, OD. “Children grow up naturally adapting to vision issues, so when they get into school and start reading and learning, that is when parents and teachers begin to notice certain problems.”

Comprehensive eye exams can detect a variety of eye conditions that, left untreated in a child, could result in partial or complete loss of vision later in life. Common conditions include astigmatism and nearsightedness. Conditions such as amblyopia, eye movements difficulties and convergence insufficiency can cause serious problems if not addressed early in life.

“A screening at a pediatrician’s office is a great way to get referred for a school related vision problem suspected in a child, but even a screening can miss eye problems that would be found during a full eye exam which often includes dilation.” said Laura Nennig, OD of Eyecare Associates in Lees Summit. “Children can be seen as early as 6 months, or even earlier if a problem is suspected. If there is a family history of any eye conditions, such as strabismus (eye turn), amblyopia (lazy eye), or refractive error (needing glasses), a full eye exam is recommended to ensure the child’s vision and ocular health are normal.”