Why Kids Need Regular Eye Examinations

Good vision is important for a child's physical development, academic performance and overall well-being. Ensure your child's eyes are developing properly by scheduling a routine eye examination.

Regular eye examinations are the best way to detect mild and serious eye health conditions. This is especially important if there is a family history of eye health issues. 

Standard Refractive Error Tests:

Our eye care professionals will measure nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Standard glasses and contact lenses are used to correct refractive error.

1) Myopia (short-sightedness) is a common eye disorder where distant vision is blur but nearer vision is clear. Myopia tends to increase rapidly between ages 5 to 15, and usually stabilises in adulthood. 

2) Hyperopia (long-sightedness) is a condition where distant vision is clear but near vision (reading) may be poor.

3) Astigmatism occurs when the cornea has an abnormal curvature, causing a distortion in vision. It often occurs together with myopia or hyperopia.

In addition to the standard refractive error tests, Raylite Optical also offers a range of paediatric eye care services.

What we test for in a comprehensive eye examination:
1) Amblyopia: Commonly known as ‘lazy eye’, it occurs when vision does not develop properly during early childhood. The affected eye may appear normal but the reduced vision does not improve even with the use of spectacles. The brain can “turn off” the image from the blurry eye, and if left untreated, amblyopia may slow visual development which can lead to permanent vision impairment.

2) Strabismus: Strabismus, also known as a squint, is a condition where the eyes are not looking in the same direction. The squint may be present all the time or intermittently.

3) Colour Blindness: The main signs of colour blindness in children are difficulty in distinguishing colours and making mistakes when identifying colours. The Ishihara 24-plate Colour Vision Test and the Farnsworth D15 Colour Test can be used to test for colour blindness. 

4) Eye Tracking: Even with good alignment the eyes may not work well as a team. Eyestrain, headaches and difficulty with near work may result.

5) Eye Diseases: Some ocular health conditions have no symptoms. Our eye care profressional will examine your child’s eyes inside and out to assess their ocular health. In most cases, early detection and treatment of eye disease can reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.

6) Axial Length Measurement: The axial length of the eye refers to how long the eye is, front to back. It offers vital information about the child’s myopia and the rate at which it’s progressing. Thus, this is an integral aspect of an effective myopia management programme. 

Possible Complications of High Myopia:

• Risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma or other eye conditions
• Learning may be affected as a result of poor vision
• Need for thick and heavy spectacles
• Discomfort and inconvenience

Since eyesight develops rapidly at a young age, early detection is important. A child with an untreated eye problem may suffer from lifelong vision impairment.

Consult our eye care professionals at Raylite to learn more about the eye examinations and myopia management solutions that we offer.