title: When should children have their eyes checked?
abstract: Timely screening for the early detection of eye and vision problems in children is vital to avoid lifelong visual impairment. Early detection provides the best opportunity for effective treatment. Organizations devoted to the health and well-being of children have issued recommendations or policy statements regarding the timing of eye screenings and examinations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Association of Certified Orthoptists (AACO), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommend screening at birth and all well-child visits. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that vision examinations begin at 6 months of age. All children found to have an ocular abnormality or who fail vision assessment should be referred to an eye care specialist trained to treat pediatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Healthcare, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ottar-Pfeifer
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012025:Reflex, Pupillary / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity