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VISION FACTS
Signs of Poor Vision in Children
It is important for parents to be vigilant of their child’s vision well before their first birthday. There are a quite a few signs you can look for that may indicate vision problems, and should you notice any of them, have your child examined by an optical professional (an ophthalmologist or an optometrist) as soon as possible. The earlier that problems are identified, the greater the chances of successful treatment.
The most common visual problems in children and, indeed, adults result from long- or short-sightedness or astigmatism. Any of these conditions leads to focusing difficulties – well known problems that teachers and parents usually watch for.
There are a number of other potential problems that can affect your child’s vision and, although not an exhaustive list, these are some of the indicators that you should watch for:
The Appearance of the Eye
- Misalignment of the eyes - one eye turns in either direction while the other points straight ahead
- Jerky eye movements
- Frequent blinking
- Frequent watering
- Slow or unequal dilation or constriction of the pupils
- Squinting
- White pupil
- Redness
Some Behavioral Symptoms
- Inability to recognize distant people or objects
- Tilting of the head when looking at something
- Over-sensitivity to light
- Covering of one eye while reading
- Sitting very close to the TV
- Squinting eyes while watching TV
- Complaining of blurred vision or of seeing double
- Complaining of headaches
- When reading, the child holds the book very close, or loses their place often
- Poor concentration
- Avoiding reading
- Mixing up words or letters in text
- Poor hand-to-eye coordination
- Rubbing the eyes
- Crooked and inconsistent writing
Keep in mind the importance of early diagnosis for effective treatment. Also, not all of these problems can be identified during a quick screening by school medical staff. The milestones for your child’s eye examinations should be:
- Before the age of three (3)
- Before starting school
- At intervals during schooling as advised by the optician
Following these guidelines will ensure the best possible preventive and, where necessary, corrective measures to protect your child’s precious eyesight.
Vision Loss from Eye Diseases will Increase as Americans Age
With the aging of our population, the number of Americans with eye disorders is increasing, and vision loss is fast becoming a major national health concern. By the year 2020, the number of people who are blind or have low vision is projected to increase substantially. Blindness or low vision affects 3.3 million Americans age 40 and over, or one in 28. This figure is projected to reach 5.5 million by the year 2020.
A study conducted by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the Federal government's National Institutes of Health (NIH), reports that low vision and blindness increase significantly with age, particularly in people over age 65. People 80 years of age and older currently make up 8 percent of the population, but account for 69 percent of blindness. This study provides the most robust and up-to-date estimates available regarding vision loss.
Eye Disease Prevalence and Projections for Adults 40 years and older in the U.S.
The study identifies age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy as the most common eye diseases in Americans age 40 and over.
*estimates in millions
|
Current Estimates* |
2020 |
AMD |
1.8 † |
2.9 |
Glaucoma |
2.2 |
3.3 |
Diabetic Retinopathy |
4.1 |
7.2 |
Cataract |
20.5 |
30.1 |
† An additional 7.3 million people are at substantial risk for vision loss from AMD
There were other significant findings from the study:
- AMD is strongly associated with increasing age, particularly after age 60. AMD rises dramatically in whites over age 80; more than one in 10 white Americans over age 80 has vision loss from AMD.
- Glaucoma is almost three times as common in African Americans as in whites.
- The prevalence of glaucoma rises rapidly in Hispanics over age 65.
- Cataract is the leading cause of low vision among all Americans, responsible for about 50 percent of all cases.
- One in every 12 people with diabetes age 40 and older has vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
The study authors emphasize the importance of annual comprehensive eye examinations in preventing and/or delaying eye disease for those at higher risk for blindness, such as those over age 65, people with diabetes, or African Americans over age 40.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) conducts and supports research that leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness. The NEI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Source: Everyday Health. 14 Feb 2008
Number of Americans with Vision Loss
More than 20 million Americans report experiencing significant vision loss. The exact figure from the 2006 National Health Interview Survey was 21.2 million Americans.
Definition and scope: The term vision loss refers to individuals who reported that they have trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, as well as to individuals who reported that they are blind or unable to see at all. This estimate pertains to a nationally representative sample of the non-institutionalized civilian population 18 years of age and over.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey, 2006
See also: "Pleis J.R., Lethbridge-Çejku M. (2007). Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2006. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10 (235)"
Costs Associated with Adult Vision Problems in the U.S.
Prevent Blindness America released a new report estimating the costs associated with adult vision problems in the United States at $51.4 billion. The report provides both the costs to the individual and their caregivers, and the impact on the U.S. economy as a result of eye disorders including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, diabetic retinopathy, blindness and others.
