When it comes to children, the most important preventive steps are routine eye examinations, visual screening tests, and preventing eye trauma. Newborns are examined in the nursery for eye infections and eye disorders. Children should receive their first comprehensive eye examination at about age 3, unless a specific condition or history of family childhood vision problems warrants an earlier examination.

Eye trauma is an important cause of vision loss in children. Eye trauma refers to any injury to the eye. The National Society to Prevent Blindness states that about one-third of preventable eye loss in children under 10 years of age is from trauma to the eye. As a parent, you can help your child avoid eye trauma with the proper use of safety equipment during sports and recreational activities.

For more information:

• Anatomy of the Eye

• Normal Vision

• Visual Screening and Eye Examinations
  • Age-Appropriate Vision Milestones
  • Eye Examinations and Visual Screening
  • Signs and Symptoms of Potential Eye Problems
  • Types of Visual Screening Tests

• Eye Disorders
  • Blepharitis
  • Blocked Tear Duct (Dacryostenosis)
  • Cellulitis
  • Chalazion
  • Conjunctivitis (Newborn/Childhood)
  • Dacryostenosis, see Blocked Tear Duct (Dacryostenosis)
  • Keratitis
  • Retinoblastoma
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity
  • Stye (Hordeolum)

• Problems with Vision
  • Cataracts
  • Childhood Glaucoma
  • Crossed-Eyes (Strabismus)
  • Glaucoma, see Childhood Glaucoma
  • Refractive Errors
  • Strabismus, see Crossed-Eyes (Strabismus)

• Eye Glasses and Contact Lenses

• Eye Safety and First-Aid
  • Avoiding Eye Injuries
  • Cosmetic Safety for Contact Lens Wearers
  • First-Aid for the Eyes

• Eye Trauma
  • Blood in the Eye (Hyphema)
  • Bruising or Black Eye (Ecchymosis)
  • Chemical Burns of the Eye
  • Corneal Abrasions
  • Eyelid Lacerations
  • Foreign Bodies in the Eye
  • Fractures of the Orbit

• Eye Care Specialists

• Glossary

• Online Resources

Eye Care at Rush

The Department of Ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, provides consulting and state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services for all conditions affecting the eye.

For more information about the eye care at Rush visit the Ophthalmology home page.

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Visit Discover Rush’s Web Resource page to find articles on health topics and recent health news from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. You will also find many helpful links to other areas of our site.

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