No one is born with 20/20 eyesight. Seeing this level of detail develops when each eye has the opportunity to send strong, clear images to the brain. Examination by an eye care specialist as early as 6 - 12 months of age can identify factors that can interfere with this process.
Amblyopia — often called lazy eye — is the most common cause of preventable visual loss in children. Often, parents learn of these conditions when their child is old enough to explain their symptoms. But these and other conditions are much easier to treat if caught early. Our office is equipped to detect, improve and resolve amblyopia at any age. “Pirate-patching” is no longer the preferred treatment, as many eye turns can now be improved or resolved without surgery.
Parents sometimes think that exams provided by schools are enough. Unfortunately, there are conditions not adequately caught by screenings at the pediatrician’s office or school, and may initially show no abnormal signs to the parents. Photoscreeners can miss this condition more than 24% of the time, and amblyopia is not the only condition of concern. This is why it is so important to schedule a vision exam for your baby, and continue comprehensive, well-child vision exams annually as your child grows into adulthood.
We offer no-cost eye exams for babies 6 - 12 months, as part of Infantsee.org.
Sources: Gunton. Advances in amblyopia: What have we learned from PEDIG trials? Pediatrics Peterseim, Papa, Wilson, et al. The effectiveness of the Spot Vision Screener in detecting amblyopia risk factors. Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Brought to you by:
David A. Hackett, OD, FCOVD
Lifetime Eye Care a division of Sterling Vision
4765 Village Plaza Loop Eugene, Oregon
(541) 342-3100 or 866-4EYELUV sterlingvision.com
