Children who are at risk whom should have a Visual Acuity

Dr. Orathai Chansanti , Ophthalmologist

Children do not tell exactly about their vision problems. So, it is important to learn which group of children will be high risk of low vision. This is also the way to protect the Lazy eyes ( Amblyopia ) in children.

• First, children who can’t clearly see the whiteboard, watch TV very close or have squint - eyed are likely to have optical aberrations.
• Children who tilt their neck while watching TV. are likely to have Astigmatism. Children who have headache but could not detect any disease often have hyperopia.

Children who had cataract surgery, both artificial lens or without lens, need glasses after the surgery as soon as possible ( 2 weeks after surgery ) to prevent lazy eye.

Children who was born with a squint, may be involved with the hyperopia, are likely have problems with nearsightedness or astigmatism. In addition, all children who have squint eye should have been examined by an ophthalmologist to determine the malfunction that may occur in the retina or optic nerve, such as tumors etc.

Children with Retinopathy due to the Prematurity are likely to have myopia. Although prematurity children don’t have Retinopathy, they have more chance for myopia than others. It is therefore, prematurity children should have been analysed for any Retinopathy. They are recommended to have a Visual Acuity more often.

Children who were born with Shaking eyes or with Down syndrome are likely to have visual aberrations, for example: 31% astigmatism, 28% hyperopia and 25% myopia. To fix their visual problem, it will enable the development of intelligence.

From the above, it is some knowledge that helps you to evaluate whether your children need to have their eyes examined to minimize the chance of lazy eyes.