Many of us remember our first visit to the eye doctor's. We sat in a chair, covering one eye while trying with the other to read the tiniest line we could on a lettered eye chart on the wall.
Eye doctors today, however, recommend that children have their eyes examined before they can read.
The American Optometric Association, The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend a first eye exam at six months of age, again at the age of three or four, then every one to two years thereafter. Sadly, waiting until a child gets a first full vision exam when he or she starts school and is old enough to read an eye chart is usually too late for treatment of some serious eye disorders. Prevent Blindness America, a national eye health and safety organization, is asking parents to think about vision checks this month, which is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. One in 20 American children are estimated to have a serious eye disorder. Newborns can make out large shapes and faces, and see bright, strong colors.