August marks Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month, a national observance dedicated to protecting one of your child’s most important assets: their vision. Clear, healthy eyesight is crucial for learning, development, and safety—and yet, many pediatric eye conditions go unnoticed until they impact school performance or behavior.

At SightMD, we believe early detection, preventative care, and injury protection are key to preserving your child’s vision for life. This August, learn how to spot the signs of common vision problems like amblyopia and strabismus, and get tips for preventing eye injuries at home, school, and on the field.

Why Pediatric Vision Matters

Your child’s eyes are rapidly developing in the early years, especially between ages 3 and 5. During this time, the brain is forming essential connections with the eyes, which are critical for tasks like reading, writing, and tracking objects in motion. Vision problems left uncorrected during this period can lead to long-term issues—even permanent vision loss.

Several pediatric conditions often arise during these key developmental years:

• Refractive errors (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) can make it difficult to see clearly at various distances.
• Amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” occurs when one eye has reduced vision because it and the brain aren’t working together properly.
• Strabismus, commonly known as “crossed eyes,” results from misaligned eyes that can lead to amblyopia if untreated.
• Color vision deficiencies, which can affect how a child learns and interacts with the world.

Routine eye screenings are essential before your child begins school. Undiagnosed vision issues can lead to academic struggles, delays in motor development, and even social challenges.

Spotting Vision Problems Early

As a parent or caregiver, you are often the first to notice changes in your child’s vision. While some kids clearly express when something feels “off,” many don’t realize what they’re seeing isn’t normal. That’s why it’s important to be proactive.

Here are key signs and symptoms of potential vision concerns in children:

• Squinting or closing one eye to see better
• Frequent eye rubbing or complaints of tired eyes
• Tilting the head or covering one eye while reading
• Headaches or eye pain after screen time or reading
• Difficulty with hand-eye coordination or depth perception
• Sitting too close to screens or holding books very close
• Eyes that appear misaligned (one turns in, out, up, or down)

Experts recommend children have their first vision screening by age 3½, followed by another around age 5, especially before entering kindergarten. However, if you notice any of the symptoms above—or if your child fails a school or pediatrician vision screening—it’s important to schedule a full exam with a pediatric eye specialist.

Understanding Amblyopia & Strabismus

Two of the most common pediatric vision disorders are amblyopia and strabismus. Both are treatable, but early intervention is critical.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye):

Affecting approximately 4% of children, amblyopia occurs when one eye has significantly better vision than the other, leading the brain to favor the stronger eye. Over time, the weaker eye may lose visual ability entirely.

Treatment options may include:

• Patching the stronger eye to encourage the weaker one to improve
• Atropine eye drops to temporarily blur vision in the stronger eye
• Prescription glasses to correct refractive errors contributing to imbalance

Strabismus (Crossed Eyes):

Strabismus affects about 2% of children and results from eye muscles not working together properly. If one eye constantly turns inward, outward, or upward, it can disrupt the brain’s visual processing and eventually lead to amblyopia.

Treatment options can include:

• Glasses or contact lenses
• Vision therapy exercises
• Eye patching or drops
• In some cases, surgery or botulinum toxin injections to align the eyes

Both conditions are highly responsive to early treatment. Left untreated, however, they can result in permanent vision loss or difficulties with depth perception and focus.

Eye Injury Prevention Tips for Kids

Did you know that more than 90% of children’s eye injuries are preventable? Eye trauma is one of the leading causes of pediatric vision loss, yet many injuries happen during everyday activities.

Here are key ways to protect your child’s vision at home, at play, and outdoors:

1. Sports Safety:
   • Always wear sport-specific protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses for high-risk activities such as baseball, basketball, racquet sports, and hockey.
   • Choose goggles or face shields that meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards.
   • Encourage coaches and school programs to enforce eye safety guidelines.
2. Home & Outdoor Safety:
   • Avoid giving young children toys with sharp edges, projectiles, or small detachable parts.
   • Supervise playtime to ensure rough play doesn’t escalate into injury.
   • Use safety gates and corner guards in environments where toddlers are learning to walk and explore.
3. Sun Protection:
   • Equip your child with UV-protective sunglasses that block 99–100% of UVA and UVB rays.
   • Wide-brimmed hats can add another layer of defense against sun damage.
   • Encourage sun-safe habits during school, recess, and summer activities.

Remember, eye injuries can happen in an instant—but their impact can last a lifetime. Prevention is the best protection.

Why August Is the Perfect Time for an Eye Exam

As summer winds down and back-to-school planning begins, August is the ideal month to check your child’s vision. Scheduling a pediatric eye exam now ensures your child is set up for academic and developmental success from day one.

What to expect at a SightMD pediatric eye exam:

• Vision testing for clarity, alignment, and eye muscle coordination
• Screening for amblyopia, strabismus, and other eye conditions
• Prescription check for glasses or vision correction if needed
• Discussion of lifestyle, screen time, and eye safety habits
• Age-appropriate, child-friendly care in a comfortable setting

Our team at SightMD specializes in pediatric vision, and we understand the unique needs of children and families. From toddlers to teens, we’re here to provide expert, compassionate care—right in your community.

Final Takeaway: Protect & Prioritize Your Child’s Vision

Children rarely complain about vision problems because they assume everyone sees the way they do. That’s why Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month is so important—it reminds us to take proactive steps to safeguard their sight.

Whether you’re concerned about symptoms of amblyopia or strabismus, or simply want to make sure your child starts school with clear vision, August is the time to act.

Schedule your child’s comprehensive eye exam with SightMD today and set them up for success in the classroom and beyond.

FAQs About Children’s Eye Health

Book your child’s back‑to‑school eye exam at SightMD this August—early detection ensures a clear future.