Routine eye examinations are essential for early detection of vision problems and eye diseases. However, many people take them for granted, often assuming they have good vision until issues arise. Regular eye checks at key milestones help prevent long-term impairment and support overall development. These milestone checks begin at birth till death and ought to be taken seriously.
Routine eye checks should begin;
• Newborns (0-3 months): The Red Reflex Test detects congenital conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and retinoblastoma.
• Infants (3-6 months): Should be checked via Pupillary Light Reflex and Fixation Behavior tests assessing the ability to track objects and respond to light, detecting early signs of amblyopia or strabismus.
• 6-12 months: Eye check at this age is by the Corneal Light Reflex and Cover Test, these help in the identification of misalignment and prevent lazy eye.
• Toddlers (1-3 years): At this age, Visual acuity and ocular health exams are carried out to detect refractive errors and other eye conditions.
• Preschoolers (3-5 years): All children at this age MUST have at least their first eye examination before commencing schooling. Tests for visual acuity, depth perception, and color vision ensure proper learning development.
• School Age (6-12 years): With growth comes vision changes, annual exams help monitor vision changes affecting academic performance.
• Teenagers (13-18 years): Regular screenings detect likely progression in conditions such as myopia and other eye health issues and enable prompt attention to those conditions.
• Adults (19-60 years): Comprehensive exams help detect conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
• Seniors (60+ years): Exams focus on cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma to manage vision loss risks.
Regular eye exams are crucial at all ages and listed milestones act as guidelines to help maintain eye health and prevent avoidable vision loss.
By: Dr. Ekene Sharon Enemuoh Vision Plus Specialist Eye Clinic
Gatekeepers News is not liable for opinions expressed in this article, they’re strictly the writer’s
