Kiddipedia
Many parents tend to focus on general paediatric care and, in the process, may sometimes overlook their children’s eye care. Our previous article discussed myopia, a prevalent eye condition that can cause blurred distance vision. Its progression can lead to serious eye health problems alongside a growing dependency on glasses, limiting a child’s ability to participate actively in sports and other activities.
It’s important to remember that there are plenty of intervention opportunities to help you protect your children’s vision health. Simple measures like reducing unnecessary near-work and ensuring regular eye examinations enable effective management of eye health issues. Vision care is all about being proactive — by simply prioritizing your children’s eyes, you can ensure their long-term eye health and well-being.
Eye health and complications
Children’s eye health issues extend beyond myopia. According to The Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register, initiated in 2008, 68% of families received a diagnosis of visual impairment by their child’s first birthday. The most common primary diagnoses include retinal dystrophy (17%), cerebral visual impairment (CVI) (15%), and Albinism (11%), while infantile nystagmus (33%) is a secondary diagnosis in many cases.
Additionally, 75% of children showed corrected binocular visual acuity, with moderate visual impairment being the most common finding. The statistics emphasize the importance of early vision care for children. The early detection of visual impairments can lead to better management and intervention strategies, ultimately improving a child’s quality of life.
Vision care for children
Routine eye examinations are pivotal in identifying visual impairments and ensuring appropriate care. Thankfully, access to vision care has also become more convenient in Australia. Eyewear retailers now offer online booking for eye tests, making it easier for parents to schedule eye examinations for their children nearby. Australia-based OPSM additionally provides bulk billing for eligible Medicare card holders for their eye tests, helping to reduce the cost of eye exams, and offers discounts on eyeglasses and contact lenses from partnerships with 39 health funds.
After the eye test, parents can proceed to order their child’s new corrective spectacles, if necessary. Let them choose a frame they like and only intervene when making sure that the glasses fit comfortably, selecting flexible materials and hypoallergenic options to enhance the experience for young wearers. This will encourage children to wear them consistently. If your child chooses contact lenses, go over ground rules, such as rinsing and storing the lenses properly in solution or never wearing someone else’s contacts. These will help them adjust to their new visual aid and establish healthy practices for your child to take with them as they grow.
Australia and vision care
In Australia, efforts are underway to make vision care more accessible for children. The NSW Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) program, initiated in 2008, has set an example for a nationwide vision screening program, offering 96.4% of 4-year-old children screening since.
In 2023, Vision 2020 Australia is working to develop a national vision screening program for 3.5- to 5-year-olds. This initiative aims to ensure universal access, set minimum standards for vision screening, and provide effective post-screening pathways by 2030.
Until then, Kiddipedia serves as a valuable free health resource for parents, offering information and guidance on children’s well-being. By being proactive, parents can safeguard their children’s vision and give them the best start in life.
