More Kids Need Vision Testing, According to the CDC

In 2002, researchers surveyed the parents or guardians of 1,524 children under 18 years of age about eye health and care. Parents noted whether their child had ever been diagnosed with visual impairment or blindness and whether the child had visited an eye doctor within the last year. In addition, parents reported whether a doctor or other health professional had tested the child's vision and whether the child participated in sports or hobbies - like soccer, baseball, basketball, or mowing the lawn - that could result in eye injuries. Finally, parents told study researchers how often their child used eye protection - like protective goggles - during sports or hobby participation.

About 3% of the children in the study had visual impairment or blindness. Children under age 6 were less likely to have visual impairment or blindness than kids between 6 and 17 years of age, and children whose families had incomes below the poverty level were more likely to be visually impaired than kids from more affluent families.

Other results:

• Only about a third of children under age 6 ever had vision testing, and only 7% of kids that age had visited an eye care specialist.
• Only one in five children under age 18 had visited an eye care specialist.
• Hispanic, black, and Asian children were less likely to have visited an eye care specialist than white children.
• Children living in poverty were less likely to have visited an eye care specialist than children from more affluent homes.

Although about half of the school-age children participated in sports or hobbies that could cause eye injuries, only about 15% of kids used eye protection all of or almost all of the time.

What This Means to You: According to the results of this CDC study, not enough kids have their eyes tested and too few kids use protective eyewear to prevent injuries. You can protect your child's health by making sure he or she has regular vision tests and wears protective eyewear during sports or hobbies that could cause eye injury. During the first few years of life, your child's doctor should screen your child for vision problems during well-child visits. At age 3 1/2, your child should have an eye health screening and visual acuity test with your child's doctor. At age 5, your child should have further vision tests at school or with your child's doctor.

In addition, you should make sure your child always wears protective shatter-proof glasses or goggles if he or she is playing sports where eye injuries could occur, such as soccer, basketball, baseball or softball, hockey, football, or boxing. He or she should also wear protective eyewear when doing hobbies or other activities that could lead to eye injury, such as woodworking or mowing the lawn.

Source: M.F. Cotch, PhD; R. Janiszewski, MS; R.J. Klein, MPH; K.M. Turczyn, MPH; K.M. Brett, PhD; A. Ryskulova, MD; Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 6, 2005

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: May 2005