Children's Vision

Resource Guide & Warning Signs

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Problems to Recognize and See in Childhood Vision Development

According to a recent press release from the TRICARE Management Activity (TMA), the majority of U.S. children identified as “problem learners” have undetected vision problems. Early detection is essential in making sure children have the visual skills they need for school and the rest of their lives.

The American Optometric Association estimates that one in 10 children is at-risk from an undiagnosed eye or vision problem that, if left untreated, may lead to learning and developmental issues. Additionally, many children at-risk for eye and vision problems are not being identified at an early age, when many of those problems might be prevented or more easily corrected.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that no matter the age, parents call their pediatrician if they spot any of these problems:

• Persistent eye pain, itching or discomfort

• Eyes that are always sensitive to light

• Excessive rubbing or squinting of the eyes

• White, grayish-white, or yellow-colored material in the pupil

• Eyes that flutter quickly from side-to-side or up-and-down

• Bulging eye(s)

• Redness in either eye that doesn’t go away in a few days

• Pus or crust in either eye

• Eyes that are always watery

• Any change in the eyes from how they usually look

The most common cause of vision impairment in children is amblyopia, according to the National Eye Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Also known as “lazy eye”, amblyopia may have no warning signs and the child may not complain of vision problems. The vision in one eye is reduced when the brain and eye are not working together properly. Amblyopia usually begins in infancy and if left uncorrected, functional blindness may occur in the affected eye. Treatments for correcting a lazy eye include eye drops and patching.

Strabismus, also known as crossed eyes, is the most common cause of amblyopia. Strabismus is caused by the brain’s inability to coordinate both eyes simultaneously. The eyes look in different directions and do not focus at the same time on a single point. Before 4 months of age most infants occasionally cross their eyes. However, eyes that cross all the time or one eye that turns out is usually abnormal and is another reason to seek your primary care provider’s advice.

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Resourse Guide

InfantSEE

InfantSEE®, a public health program, managed by Optometry's CharityTM - The AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, AOA optometrists provide a comprehensive eye and vision assessments for infants within the first year of life regardless of a family's income or access to insurance coverage.
http://www.infantsee.org

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Vision Utah

Vision Utah is a non-profit program designed to provide basic vision care for school children who are not insured or do not have the financial means to access needed vision care*.This program is run exclusively through the school nurse; should your child qualify please have your school nurse contact the Utah Optometric Association at: 801-364-9103 or uoa@xmission.com.
*As determined by the school nurse

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Sight For Students

Sight for Students is a VSP charity that provides free vision exams and glasses to low-income, uninsured children. The program operates nationally through a network of community partners who identify children in need and VSP network doctors who provide the eyecare services.
http://www.sightforstudents.org

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Kids Cause

Utah County Only - Call 801-224-2055

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CHIP

CHIP is short for the Children's Health Insurance Program - Utah's program to provide health insurance to all uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance. There are a lot of reasons kids might not have health insurance - maybe their parents lost a job, don't have health insurance at work or maybe it just costs too much. Whatever the reason, CHIP may be able to help.

1-877-543-7669

http://health.utah.gov/chip

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Student Health Aid

Granite School District

If a child isn't feeling well, they won't be able to concentrate in school. The GEF Student Health Aid Program serves a diverse and economically challenged population of low-moderate to poverty levels. In more than one instance, potentially disabling conditions have been identified before they became a permanent handicap, including blindness. There have been instances in the news of children dying for lack of dental care. With the Student Health Aid Program, that won't happen in the Granite School District.

www.graniteeducationfoundation.org

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