Comprehensive eye test: Get the full picture

While fundamental stages of visual advancement take place in infancy and toddlerhood, it is possible to develop these skills in young adulthood and beyond. They are important for monitoring conditions that might affect learning in school which can lead to stress and anxiety. Vision is crucial for learning and development for the following reasons:

• More than 85% of our brain is linked to vision
• It is the brain’s fastest and most effective way of processing information. 
• The early development of visual skills and neuroplasticity allows children to meet age-related visual demands as they get older.  As new nerve pathways are developed, they have a greater chance of being visually on par with their peers. 
• It allows children to develop critical skills needed to process what they read, learn, and how to interact with the world around them.

• Reduced hand-eye coordination: An example can be seen when a child is unable to catch a ball that is thrown towards them. The inability to do so points to their difficulty in interpreting speed in relation to where they are. 
• Compensation: When a child points to each word they read. Doing so is often a way for them to compensate for their inability to track words. 
• Avoidance: If a child finds it too difficult to read or track the words on a page, she may avoid the material altogether. This kind of avoidance is often displayed through excessive movements, such as squirming in their seat, speaking out of turn, or "spacing out" because they cannot focus on the material.

Eye problems that involve an inability to focus or poor vision often present as physical symptoms. These include:

• Headaches
• Red eyes
• Eye rubbing
• Eyestrain
• Complaints of poor vision ("I can't see!")

Many optometrists recommend at least one comprehensive pediatric eye exam before your child begins school. Some common eye conditions in children include:

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Genetic diseases
• Astigmatism
• Amblyopia (lazy eye). This condition occurs in  the absence of normal visual development. Treatments include vision therapy, patching, and eye drops.
• Strabismus (double vision)

The examination will begin with a case history of the child, including family and personal medical history, observations from the school, and complaints from the child. Following this, the optometrist will examine the following:

• "Good vision" or visual acuity: Tests involve the eyes working together and the individual eye. For children and babies unable to communicate there are special technologies for babies using pictures to assess their vision.
• Usage: Tests include the cover test, testing for color, 3d, track
• Phoropter for older children to check if they need prescription lenses.
• Slit-lamp gives a good look at the eye
• dilating drops allow for analysis of the back of the eye.
• Review of findings, recommendations, treatments, scheduling future testing

• Newborns: Newborns require a proper assessment to check the startle reflex and any noticeable signs of eye disease, in particular if there is a family history of such complications. Such tests can be done by the pediatrician.
• Babies 6-12 months: Within the first year, the pediatrician will assess eye movement, alignment, and overall eye health.  
• 12 to 36 months: Overall eye health is assessed often with the aid of photo screening to monitor for signs of eye problems.  If any problems are noted, follow-up will usually involve an eye doctor. 
• 3-5 years: The child will be checked for issues of alignment and vision. If there are signs that further intervention is required, they will usually involve an optometrist.
• 5 years and older: Further assessment of eye alignment and to gauge visual acuity. Signs of eye issues will be addressed by an optometrist.

As part of our commitment to provide the best eye care to our patients, we are constantly enhancing our innovation edge by investing in cutting edge technology and offering only the best for our patients. At Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga we have an advanced retinal camera to produce a high definition image of the inside of the eye. With retinal imaging we can better prevent and diagnose disease in a simple, quick and patient-friendly method. It is critical to evaluate the health of the retina, optic nerve and other retinal structures. The digital camera snaps a high-resolution digital picture of your retina. This picture clearly shows the health of your eyes and is used as a baseline to track any changes in your eyes in future eye examinations. Our office also has advanced technology for dry eye, visual fields and functional vision.