•Dr Priscilia Imade
Good vision is essential for a child’s overall development, learning and quality of life. The eyes serve as the primary gateway to acquiring knowledge in early years, with studies suggesting that up to 80% of what children learn is processed through their visual system. Unfortunately, many vision problems in children go undetected because young children may not be able to recognise or communicate that they have difficulty seeing.
Regular eye examinations are, therefore, needed to safeguard a child’s visual health and ensuring their potential is not hindered by preventable or treatable eye conditions.
Some importance of eye examination in children include:
1. EARLY DETECTION OF VISION PROBLEMS
Eye examinations in children allow for the early detection of common eye problems such as refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism), lazy eye (amblyopia), and crossed eyes (strabismus).
Early identification is important because many of these conditions respond best to treatment when detected in the formative years. For example, amblyopia can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated before the age of 7–8 years.
2. SUPPORTING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Vision and learning are closely connected. A child with uncorrected vision problems may struggle to read, write, or focus on classroom activities, leading to poor academic performance.
Symptoms like squinting, holding books too close, or losing place while reading may be mistaken for learning difficulties or inattentiveness, when in fact they are signs of underlying visual issues. Regular eye examinations ensure that such problems are addressed, improving concentration, reading skills, and overall school performance.
3. ENHANCING PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Clear vision is needed for coordination, balance, and participation in sports and recreational activities. Vision problems can limit a child’s ability to engage fully in play and social interactions, which are important for confidence and social skills development.
By ensuring optimal vision, eye examinations contribute to a child’s overall physical, emotional, and social well-being.
4. PREVENTING LONG-TERM COMPLICATIONS
Some eye conditions in children, if left untreated, can lead to lifelong vision impairment or blindness. Conditions such as congenital cataracts, glaucoma or retinopathy of prematurity require prompt diagnosis and management.
Regular eye examination provides an opportunity to catch these rare but serious conditions before they cause irreversible damage.
5. MONITORING VISION DEVELOPMENT
Children’s eyes grow and change rapidly and vision needs can shift significantly over time. Routine eye examinations help monitor these changes, ensuring that any emerging problems are addressed promptly. This is especially important for children with a family history of eye diseases, premature birth or systemic conditions like diabetes that can affect the eyes.
6. EDUCATION AND EYE HEALTH AWARENESS
An eye examination is also an opportunity to educate parents and caregivers about good visual hygiene for children such as limiting screen time, encouraging outdoor activities and ensuring proper reading posture and lighting. This preventive education supports long-term eye health.
CONCLUSION
Finally, regular eye examinations in children are not a luxury but a necessity. They play a vital role in early detection, academic success, physical development and the prevention of long-term vision loss.
Health authorities and parents must prioritise comprehensive eye screening as part of a child’s routine healthcare, ideally starting from infancy and continuing through school years. By doing so, we give children the best chance to see, learn, and thrive.
Make this holiday count by giving your child a comprehensive eye examination before they resume school in September.
Act now!
*Dr Priscilia Imade is CEO, Modern Eye Clinic, Lagos. E-mail: moderneyecliniclagos@gmail.com
Another edition of the column returns on Monday in The Frontier.
