Have you had your child's eyesight or vision checked recently? I am not referring to the yearly eye chart visual exam provided by the pediatrician, or by the school nurse. This chart which is called a Snellen Eye Chart, measures visual acuity.

Visual acuity is the ability of the eye to identify certain sized black objects on a white background from a specified distance. Visual acuity is quantitative, which simply means it is measurable. If you have 20/20 visual acuity, it means from 20 feet away from the chart you can correctly identify the correct letter or chart symbols. There are charts with symbols or pictures that can be used in the event one is unable to read. These are the Landolt C and Lea charts.

Testing for visual acuity is subjective. Subjective means it is perceived by the person being tested and not the person doing the testing. In order for this test to be successful, the person being tested or the subject must be cooperative and able to follow simple verbal instructions. The eye chart method of eye exam measures visual acuity. Visual acuity is the easiest way to determine the basic eye health of an individual. Good visual acuity indicates the visual pathway which is the nerve pathway from the eyes to the brain is functioning appropriately. If someone develops an acute change in his or her visual acuity, there is reason for concern and follow-up with an Ophthalmologist.

Optometry is referred to as the study of the eye. Optometrists are professionally licensed to exam the eyes, and its structure, in order to prescribe glasses, contacts or other corrective vision treatments. An ophthalmologist is a doctor of medicine. The Ophthalmologist treats eye problems, including eye injuries and disease. In addition an ophthalmologist can perform surgery on the eye.

An eye examination is a battery of tests, best if performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. This exam can determine if someone is having any visual difficulties. Most people have a dominant or stronger eye, which is not a concern. However, if the eyes are not focusing and tracking with good binocularity or as a team, a child, may have difficulty concentrating or completing school work.

My son is 10 and last week I found out he is farsighted, needs glasses and that his left eye is dominant. Since his left eye is markedly stronger than his right eye, we are now doing daily simple exercises to help strengthen his weaker eye. By doing these daily focusing and tracking exercises the hope is his eyes will learn to work as a team, instead of the left eye overpowering the right eyes abilities.

I will do a follow up article in a few weeks after a return visit to his ophthalmologist. Often I am told if the eyes start to work as a team it improves the overall ability to focus and help can decrease fidgeting. If you have a child who has not yet had an in-depth eye exam preformed by a board certified Ophthalmologist, please schedule one as soon as possible. An in-depth eye exam might clarify a situation you are unaware of at the time.

Does anyone else have any experience with this situation? Please feel free to write about your experience in the free ADD Forum.