ST. LOUIS, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- All U.S. children should have their vision checked and have a thorough exam at age 3, says the American Optometric Association.
Eye exams can detect serious problems that can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. For instance, amblyopia or "lazy eye," the most common vision problem in children, responds best to treatment before the age of 3 and may result in some permanent vision loss if not diagnosed by age 6.
Sixty percent percent of students identified as problem learners suffer from undetected vision problems, according to the American Optometric Association.
A recent U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention report found that nearly two out of three children receive no preventive vision care prior to elementary school.
"Good vision is critical because 80 percent of what children learn during their formative school years is through visual processing," says Mark Travis, a doctor of optometry with the optical division at Wal-Mart.
"Having parents put eye exams on their 'Back to School' checklist can help us detect and treat vision problems early so that no child gets left behind academically."
