August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. That means it’s a perfect time to have your child’s eyes and vision checked if you haven’t done so in a while. Considering this is also the month that most children go back to school, the timing couldn’t be better.

When it comes to how your children perform in school, there’s no question that vision is a key to their success. Some research has shown that up to 80% of learning is visual. Studies have also shown that better vision leads to improved academic performance in children. One recent study published in the journal Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics found that children who performed better on vision tests also performed better at school.

Guidelines for Vision Screenings

The good news about vision screenings is that they are typically part of newborn screenings, well-child visits and are also sometimes performed in schools. Still, it’s a good idea for parents to be aware of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus guidelines for vision screenings to make sure children are receiving the screenings they need each year:

• Infants – Your baby’s eyes will be checked for infections or other eye problems shortly after birth in the hospital. They should also be checked again during a routine well-child visit for alignment, vision development and general eye health by the age of 6 months.
• 1 to 2 years – At this age, potential eye problems can be identified using photo screening devices or if you notice any turning inwards or outwards of the eyes.
• 3 to 4 years – The eyes and vision should be checked at this age to look for any abnormalities that could lead to future problems.
• 5 years and older – At this age, a routine eye exam that checks each eye separately should be performed each year. If any problems are found, your child should see a pediatric ophthalmologist for a more thorough vision screening.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus note that pediatricians, family physicians or other trained health care providers can provide routine vision screenings. You can also schedule an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist or pediatric optometrist for a more comprehensive vision exam for your child.

Vision Problems to Look For in Children

I also like to remind parents that beyond routine vision screenings, they should be vigilant about their children’s eye health all the time. Parents often have the best chance of detecting problems and taking action by getting their children’s vision checked. In addition to wearing eye protection during sports or eye-injury prone activities such as racquetball and paintball, here's what else you can be on the lookout for:

• Your child is squinting or holding items near their face.
• One or both eyes are drifting inward or outward for long periods of time.
• Your child has an underlying medical condition that could impact their eyes.
• Your child is performing poorly at school or has behavior or aggression problems.
• You have a family history of vision problems or eye surgery in childhood.

Finally, screen time can also negatively impact your children’s eyes with increased eye strain, irritation or worse. This problem has only increased during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. I recommend that children limit their screen time to an hour or less each day whenever possible. For tips on keeping your children’s eyes healthy at times when they need to be on a computer more, such as for virtual school, you can read my blog post on the subject here.

Luxme Hariharan, MD MPH, Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists and Board Member, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation