According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, early detection and treatment of many sight-threatening diseases may cure or slow the progression of vision loss. When it comes to children, the most important preventive steps are routine eye examinations, visual screening tests, and preventing eye trauma. Newborns are examined in the nursery for eye infections and eye disorders. Children should receive their first comprehensive eye examination at age 3, unless a specific condition or history of family childhood vision problems warrants an earlier examination. Annual visual screening tests and eye examinations should be preformed on children 5 years and older.
Eye trauma is an important cause of vision loss in children.
Eye trauma refers to any injury to the eye. The National Society to Prevent Blindness states that about one-third of eye loss in children under 10 years of age is from trauma to the eye. As a parent, you can help your child avoid eye trauma with the proper use of safety equipment during sports and recreational activities.