pediatric vision

Children and Visual Health: Myths About Pediatric Eye Exams  

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Most parents are exceptionally vigilant about their child’s health care needs. However, visiting the eye doctor is often something that gets overlooked. Visual assessment and exams are actually just as critical as part of your child’s overall healthcare plan. Unfortunately, several myths can keep caregivers from scheduling pediatric eye exams as they should.

Myth: Children don’t need an eye exam until right before they start school.

It is true that a child should have a vision exam before they start school. However, most professionals actually recommend that children have their first pediatric eye exam before the age of one. Most pediatricians do actually do a basic visual assessment soon after a baby is born. However, this basic assessment is meant to look for developmental issues and may not always catch vision problems. Eye exams in the years before school may correct problems that could cause issues once the child starts school.

Myth: Children cannot get an eye exam if they do not recognize their alphabet letters.

The eye exam that is performed on children before they recognize their letters is quite a bit different from the eye exam that is given to a school-aged child using a letter chart. The optometrist will be looking at the structures of the eye, how the eyes team together, and other aspects of visual function. Shapes, colorful images, and other items may be used to assess visual abilities as well.

Myth: Most children only need an eye exam every five years.

If a child does not have any obvious vision problems or wears glasses, you should schedule a pediatric eye exam about every two years. Children who are wearing corrective lenses do need to be seen every year. Some optometrists may recommend even more visits if your child has certain visual health or development concerns.

Schedule Your Pediatric Eye Exam in North Syracuse, NY

One of the most important things you can do for your child is to make sure their visual capabilities are as good as they can be. Optometric attention may be required to ensure that. If you believe your child has vision problems, or they need a checkup, reach out to us at McPherson Optometry.

 

Got a Stye On Your Eye? Home Remedies, When to Call the Eye Doctor, and More

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Styes are a small, localized infection affecting hair follicles or oil glands in the eyelid. The problem is relatively common among children, who are more likely to rub their eyes. However, styes can affect anyone and can stem from not properly cleaning contact lenses, wearing certain types of makeup, and a number of other everyday actions. If you have a stye, you may find some relief with home treatment, but you should also know when to see the eye doctor for help.

Home Remedies for Mild Styes

Mild styes can usually be treated at home and will subside in a few days. In general, you will need to keep your eyelid really clean and help encourage the oils trapped in the area to drain. Try to:

  • Avoid wearing eye makeup on your eyelids for a few days
  • Take the time to clean your eyelid with baby shampoo or mild soap and water a few times daily
  • Use a warm compress made of a wet tea bag to apply gentle pressure to the area
  • Massage the area with a clean finger gently

Avoid trying to scratch, pop, or poke at the stye. This may look like a pimple, but trying to squeeze the stye can actually make the problem worse.

When to Call an Eye Doctor for Help

Even though a stye will most often go away relatively quickly, occasionally, the small issue can become a more worrisome problem. You should reach out to the eye doctor for advice if:

  • The stye appears to be growing instead of getting smaller
  • The stye seems to be interfering with your ability to see because of its size or placement
  • The stye is not going away or you have repetitive problems

Common Treatments for Eye Styes

Eye styes that are not going away on their own may require further treatment from your eye doctor. The medical professional may prescribe topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, or other forms of medicinal treatment. In extremely rare cases, a stye will need to be surgically lanced or removed.

Call a North Syracuse Eye Doctor for Help

While styes usually go away on their own, you may occasionally need to visit your eye doctor in North Syracuse for help. If you have issues with styes or other eye health concerns, reach out to us at Mcpherson Optometry to schedule an appointment.

 

Is My Child Too Young for Glasses?

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Young children can have eye problems, too. Even children as young as 12 months may need corrected vision. If you think your child may have vision issues, regardless of age, make an appointment with your local vision center today.

Symptoms of Poor Vision in Young Children

Poor vision often manifests in children between the ages of 18 months and 4 years old. Sometimes, the problem is easy to recognize as a wandering or “lazy” eye. Crossed eyes is another symptom of vision issues in young children. If your child suffers from either of these conditions, you and your pediatrician will likely both notice.

Sometimes, young children have vision problems that are less noticeable, such as uneven focus. Because they’ve had the condition since birth and have never seen the world differently, they won’t notice there’s a problem. This is when your child’s routine vision screenings become vital.

Symptoms of poor vision in very young children include:

  • Sensitivity to light
  • Redness
  • Eye rubbing
  • Crust
  • Swelling or tearing
  • Bulging eyes
  • Drooping eyelids

If you notice these symptoms in your child, regardless of age, schedule a vision screening.

How Do Young Children Manage Glasses?

If your very young child needs glasses, don’t despair. The key is to purchase ones that are durable and resist breakage. You may also want to purchase extended protection plans for glasses meant for youngsters.

To help young children manage and care for glasses, first find out how often they need to wear them. It may also be helpful to let your child help pick out their glasses. When kids play a role in choosing, they’re often more invested in caring for them. Once you’re home with the new glasses, have a sit-down conversation with your youngster to discuss how important it is to take care of them. Outline rules to help, such as storing the glasses in their case when not in use and taking them off before engaging in active play.

Contact McPherson Optometry in Syracuse, NY

Call McPherson Optometry in the North Syracuse area today to schedule an appointment for children who exhibit signs of vision problems. Our friendly professionals are waiting to help.