Accessible Vision Care From Youth to Adulthood

Accessible and affordable eye care is something that should be available to everyone of all ages. The unfortunate reality is that millions of children live with an untreated vision problem. These vision problems begin during childhood and can result in difficulty at school, missed opportunities, and social challenges when left untreated.

The great news is that many visual concerns can be corrected and the long-term risks mitigated. Through World Sight Day, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (or IAPB) is on a mission to increase access to eye care at all ages and support early intervention of visual problems by inspiring parents and children to have their eyes checked regularly.
 

What is World Sight Day?

Observed each year on the second Thursday in October, World Sight Day brings awareness to the issues of blindness and vision impairment across the globe, with the ultimate goal of ensuring vision care is available, accessible, and affordable for all. This year’s theme for World Sight Day is focused on the importance of vision care at all ages, particularly in children.

Unfortunately, children are often unable to recognize eye concerns or express visual discomfort clearly to parents or caregivers. This World Sight Day, we are sharing some of the warning signs parents and caregivers can look out for in young children.
 

Symptoms of Visual Problems in Children

Early identification and treatment of a pediatric eye condition can help unlock future opportunities for little ones and prevent further issues into adulthood. Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for in young children:

• Difficulty reading or avoiding near/close activities.
• Frequent blinking or rubbing of their eyes.
• Disinterest in activities that require using their eyes.
• Squinting, tilting their head, or covering one eye to see.
• Drifting eye(s) or misaligned pupils.
• Red, brown, or grey spots on the whites of their eye.
• Eyes that are watery, itchy, painful, crusty, or sticky.
• Photos with white or yellow reflecting in the eyes.

If you notice an issue with your child’s vision or want to have peace of mind that your child can see the world clearly, schedule a pediatric eye exam today.
 

Wilmington’s Only Pediatric Ophthalmologist

A comprehensive pediatric eye exam can ensure your child sees clearly. But healthy vision is so much more than just seeing clearly. Our pediatric team will evaluate how your child’s eyes work together as a team, how they focus, test coordination, and identify the presence of ocular diseases such as strabismus or amblyopia, which are common eye diseases among children.

Our experienced pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Melissa Shipley, MD, FAAP, can assist with diagnosing and developing a treatment plan for any eye disease. She is the only fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologist in the Wilmington area and southeast North Carolina. Dr. Shipley offers comprehensive pediatric eye care including the medical and surgical treatment of lazy eye/amblyopia, ocular misalignment/strabismus, blocked tear ducts, pediatric eyelid disorders, and the management of pediatric cataracts and pediatric glaucoma. Dr. Shipley also treats adults with double vision and strabismus.
 

Being Eye Smart At Every Age

Although this year’s theme focuses on eye care for children, the broader mission of World Sight Day is aimed at achieving accessible vision care for everyone of all ages by calling on us all to “be eye smart and make sure you have your eyes tested regularly.”

And it’s never too late to start prioritizing your vision by scheduling an eye exam and practicing healthy habits like reducing screen time, spending regular time outside, and seeking help for any visual discomfort or problems.

As the area’s largest and most comprehensive ophthalmology practice, we offer a wide range of specialty vision care for adults and children alike, from routine eye exams to vision correction solutions like LASIK.

We hope you will answer the call to “be eye smart” and love your eyes at every age and stage of life.