Children's Vision: What Parents
Need to Know

Children's vision care is essential to every child's development. Experts say that over 80 percent of what a child learns in school is presented visually, so making sure your son or daughter has good vision can make a big difference in their academic performance.

Routine eye exams for children can detect any nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism your child has so it can be promptly treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Routine exams are also needed to make sure your child's eyes are healthy and to rule out amblyopia, strabismus and other binocular vision problems that may interfere with your child's vision development, academic performance and sports vision.

Learn more about children's vision by reading these articles:

SPONSORED SECTION: Teens & Contacts: What Parents Need To Know
Your teen wants contacts. Should you say yes? This helpful guide will answer all your questions about safety, types of lenses and cost.

A Guide to Children's Vision Problems
An overview of children's vision and eye health topics that every parent should know about. Also read our Eye Doctor Q&A on children's vision problems.

Eye Exams for Children
Find out when to have your child's eyes examined to ensure they have the vision skills they need for school, sports and play.

Your Infant's Vision Development
How your baby's vision develops in the first year of life and what you can do to help.

Does Your Baby Have Congenital Cataracts?
Not all congenital cataracts require surgery, but some do. Learn what you can do if your child was born with cataracts.

Children's Vision Problems — Eye Doctor Q&A
Questions about children's vision problems are answered by eye doctors on AllAboutVision.com's Editorial Advisory Board.

Vision Problems of Preschool Children
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to cope with a vision problem.

Vision Problems of Schoolchildren
Up to 25 percent of schoolchildren may have vision problems that can affect their ability to learn. Read how to keep your child from being in this group.

Teen Vision: Time for Contacts?
A brief primer on what you should know when your teen wants to start wearing contact lenses.

Can Anything Stop or Slow the Progression of Myopia in Kids?
Studies have tested rigid contact lenses, soft contact lenses, drugs and eyeglass lenses for their ability to keep myopia from developing in children. Here's a summary of the findings.

Kids and Computers
How to help your child avoid eye strain and other problems when using computers.

Learning-Related Vision Problems
Does your child avoid reading? Is he struggling in school? Find out if an undetected learning-related vision problem is to blame.

Stargardt's Disease and Children
This inherited form of macular degeneration can cause central vision loss in children, who may need special instruction in how to use low vision aids.

Toys and Eye Safety
Which toys are eye-safe and which are better to avoid.

Contact Lenses for Children
Are contact lenses safe for children? Read about the advantages, age considerations and more when considering contacts for your kids.

Eyeglasses for Kids
Here's an article on choosing a child's eyeglass frame. Also read 10 Tips for Buying Kids' Eyewear. For new products, see What's New in Eyeglasses for Kids and Teens.

Polycarbonate Eyeglass Lenses
This material is a must for all children's eyeglass lenses. Read why.

Sunglasses for Kids
Sunglasses that block 100 percent of the sun's harmful UV rays are essential for children. Read tips for buying good sunglasses for your kids.

Protective Eyewear
Are your children wearing protective eyewear for sports and other activities? Read why they should.

What is Vision Therapy?
Some children have undetected vision problems that can interfere with their performance in school or sports. Read about vision therapy and how it can help.

[Page updated January 2010]