General
Eye problems in children may be hard to determine because children assume their vision is normal and usually don't complain when problems are present. The best way to ensure that a child develops normal, healthy vision is through routine, professional eye examinations starting shortly after birth, then again at six months of age, before entering school (age four or five) and periodically throughout the school years. The pediatric eye examination evaluates a range of visual skills including close-up and distance visual acuity, eye tracking and fixation skills, the ability to use the eyes together, depth perception and color vision. Since many vision problems begin at an early age, it is important that they are detected and that children receive proper eye care. Most eye problems can be treated successfully if they are diagnosed early. If left untreated, many problems will worsen and prevent a child from developing good vision.

Related Information
Children should have their eyes checked during early childhood, especially if strabismus or other eye disease runs in the family. Some problems such as strabismus (poorly aligned eyes) or amblyopia ("lazy eye") will result in poor vision if not diagnosed and corrected early.

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