
	CHILDREN'S EYE EXAMS Kids eye examinations are too important to put off. Children with uncorrected vision conditions or eye health problems face many barriers in life…academically…socially…and athletically. Proper eye care can break down these barriers and help enable your children to reach their highest potential. Risk factors include: • Infants born prematurely or with low birth weight • Infants whose mother had rubella, sexually transmitted disease (STD) or AIDS-related infection during pregnancy • Family history of amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (when the eyes are not aligned in the same direction), or eye disease such as glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration • Family history of genetically influenced conditions: Nearsightedness, farsightedness, color vision deficiency (commonly called color blindness) or retinitis pigmentosa ( a progressive decline of the retina) • Individuals impacted by environmental influences. Researchers have found that students who spend a lot of time reading, using the computer, or playing video games show a more rapid progression of nearsightedness than do others. Important facts: • Nearly 80% of what a child perceives, comprehends and remembers depends on the efficiency of the visual system • Vision is a complex process involving over 20 visual abilities and more than 65% of all of the pathways to the brain • 11.3% of children who passed a vision screening at school or the pediatrician’s office were found to have a vision problem in need of correction • 20% of U.S. children are two or more grade levels behind in reading due to difficulty in eye control and visual coordination • 1 in 4 of school-age children have an undiagnosed vision problem that interferes with learning • The rate may be as high at 60% for children with learning problems The diagnosis and treatment of ocular conditions in infants and children requires a specialized, dedicated approach. Our team of experts provides the unique care children need. In addition to primary comprehensive eye care, we also offer specialized testing and treatment for developmental delays and visually related learning difficulties. Click here to schedule and eye exam 1 in 4 Children Has An Undiagnosed Vision Problem Does your child need an eye exam? When you're deciding whether or not you should take your child in for an eye exam, consider the following: Home tests or vision screenings will not detect all of a child's vision problems 80% of what a child learns during the first 12 years is obtained through vision Visual impairment in children is associated with developmental delays and the need for special educational, vocational and social services 25% of students in grades K-6 have visual problems that are serious enough to impede learning. When vision problems go undetected, children almost invariably have trouble reading and doing their schoolwork. They often display fatigue, fidgeting, and frustration in the classroom – traits that can lead to a misdiagnosis of dyslexia or other learning disabilities. It is estimated that 80% of children with a learning disability have an undiagnosed vision problem. Early diagnosis and treatment of children’s vision problems is a necessary component to school readiness and academic learning. Vision screenings are not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Early testing for vision problems is critical to preventing learning disabilities or, in some cases, significant visual impairment in children. Vision is a complex process that involves over 20 visual abilities and more than 65% of all the pathways to the brain. One in four children has an undiagnosed vision problem which can interfere with learning and lead to academic and/or behavioral problems. However, it is important to know that these children frequently do not report symptoms because they think everyone sees the same way they do. Often a child with a vision related learning problem has excellent verbal skills, causing parents and educators to think the child must be lazy, have ADD/ADHD, or is learning disabled. The possible misdiagnosis can be due to similar symptoms, but the causes are not the same. Vision problems can elicit a wide range of signs and symptoms. Some, like eyestrain or blurred vision, can usually be attributed directly to a vision dysfunction. Others, such as poor attention span at school, clumsiness in sports, or reduced productivity at work, may not immediately be recognized as possible sign of a vision problem. The great news is that many of the vision conditions that contribute to difficulties in school and cause symptoms, such as eyestrain or blurred vision, can be treated. Physical signs or symptoms: Frequent headaches or eye strain Blurring of distance or near vision, particularly after reading or other close work Avoidance of close work or other visually demanding tasks Poor judgment of depth Turning of an eye in or out, up or down Tendency to cover or close one eye, or favor the vision in one eye Double vision Poor hand-eye coordination Difficulty following a moving target Dizziness or motion sickness Performance Problems: Poor reading comprehension Difficulty copying from one place to another Loss of place, repetition, and/or omission of words while reading Difficulty changing focus from distance to near and back Poor posture when reading or writing Poor handwriting Can respond orally but can’t get the same information down on paper Letter and/or word reversals Difficulty judging sizes and shapes Treatment of Learning-Related Visual Problems The treatment of learning-related visual problems involves the use of appropriate glasses for near work and/or a regimen of vision therapy (also known as binocular therapy or visual integration) to improve important visual skills. Since 1991 our team of trained specialists have been providing accurate, professional diagnoses and state-of-the-art treatment you can count on. Our expertise, experience and results speak for themselves. We look forward to being of service to you and your family. Jill A. Kronberg, OD, FAAO: Residency-Trained Pediatric Optometrist Idaho's best choice for pediatric eye care Dr. Kronberg grew up in Wyoming before attending the University of Northern Colorado where she received a bachelor's of science in chemistry. Dr. Kronberg graduated from Southern California College of Optometry before pursuing a residency in pediatrics and primary care at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Kronberg is the first residency trained pediatric optometrist in Idaho. Her areas of expertise include infant and toddler vision development, amblyopia, strabismus, and the specific visual conditions of the pediatric population - including those with special needs. Her experience brings specialized developmental pediatric vision care to Idaho. Dr. Kronberg is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) and a member of the American Optometric Association & Idaho Optometric Physicians. Accepting new patients. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Kronberg or call us at 208.377.8899.