Vision disorders make it difficult for people to interact with the world around them. According to Prevent Blindness, one of the nation’s leading eye health and safety organizations dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, untreated eye diseases and conditions in children become more difficult to repair as time progresses. In some instances, they also endanger a child’s chances of achieving academic and social success. This August, Prevent Blindness is celebrating Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month in partnership with the National Optometric Association. One of the main goals behind Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month is to teach parents and caregivers about what steps they can take to make sure their children have the best chance of achieving a successful school year by maintaining healthy vision.
One of the most startling facts about children’s eye health is that one in 20 children between the ages of 3 and 5-years-old has a condition that could lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. Despite these numbers, current estimates suggest that approximately 80% of preschool-aged children have not received an eye health screening. Vision exams are particularly important for children because they may begin developing problems or experiencing a change in vision without themselves, their parents or caregivers noticing right away.
Here is some other important information from Prevent Blindness and the Vision Resource Center of Berks County on vision disorders and other problems that children experience:
A great way to assess a child for eye problems is to undergo a vision screening. While vision screenings do not take the place of comprehensive eye exams, they are effective at identifying when a child is at risk for or currently experiencing a problem. After a vision screening, the next step is an eye exam conducted by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. A comprehensive eye exam includes an evaluation of the refractive state, dilated fundus examination, visual acuity, ocular alignment, binocularity, and, when appropriate, color vision testing. Various children’s health organizations provide suggested timetables for checkpoints related to children’s eye health. To learn more about these timetables, visit the Prevent Blindness website.
Another primary cause behind eye injuries and conditions in children are sports-related injuries. Every day, approximately 100,000 sports-related eye injuries occur; roughly one-third of these injuries are sustained by children under the age of 16-years-old. Despite how common sports-related injuries are, the number of children who wear protective eyewear, such as safety glasses or goggles, is staggeringly low (15%). Here are some important statistics and recommendations regarding sports-related eye injuries in children from the Vision Council:
To mitigate these dangers, the Vision Council recommends that parents and caregivers insist that children wear safety goggles or glasses whenever they play sports. Protective eyewear should meet the impact standards prescribed by the American Standards for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Protective lenses should also be made from polycarbonate materials because they are able to withstand the highest level of impact protection. To learn more about purchasing protective eyewear for your child, visit your local sporting goods store or speak directly with your eyecare professional.
If you have a question or concern about an eye injury that your child sustained, someone at our firm can help. To learn more, contact a representative online now.
If you have a question about filing a legal claim, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.