As many as 10% of young children have vision problems that interfere with sight, and 2-4% of preschool-aged children have vision problems that will lead to permanent vision loss if undetected. Despite the serious consequences when these problems go untreated, 1 in 5 five-year-old children nationwide have never received a vision screening from a physician or other healthcare provider. Although treatment for these conditions is highly successful, relatively inexpensive, and available, and despite considerable research on preschool vision screening in the last 10 years, there has been little shift in the documented numbers of children receiving appropriate vision assessments in the pediatric environment.

Children's Vision Massachusetts, a coalition of families and professionals, is collaborating with Reach Out and Read through a grant from the HRSA/AAP Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program to elevate the importance of children's vision health in community settings and primary care practices. Supporting early identification and treatment of vision problems will lead to improved lifelong vision health and ensure preschool children the best possible start in acquiring early literacy skills.

Children's Vision Massachusetts is already working with many participating Reach Out and Read practices to raise awareness among parents and providers that children should have their vision assessed during pediatric checkups from birth until 36 months and have a vision screening every year beginning at age three.   Children born prematurely and those who have been diagnosed with a developmental delay or other health condition associated with vision conditions should bypass screening and have a comprehensive eye exam by an eye doctor.

Most young children with vision problems do not complain because they have never experienced normal sight; screening and eye exams are often the only ways to identify children in need of treatment. Signs and symptoms of possible vision problems that parents, caregivers and early educators should be aware of are squinting, crossed eyes, head tilt, tearing or itchy eyes, as well as difficulty learning, or delays in reaching milestones of eye contact, talking, and walking. These, as well as a family history of parents or siblings requiring a strong eyeglass prescription, patching, or vision treatment during early childhood, should be discussed with the child's parent, pediatrician, family physician or nurse practitioner immediately.

For more information about this important collaboration, please contact Katherine Majzoub, RN, MBA, Director, Northeast Region, Prevent Blindness or Reach Out and Read Massachusetts Programs Director Alison Corning Clarke.

Summer Reading!

Chantal Alder at Tilton Elementary School is encouraging her Haverhill students to read this summer...."close up that summer gap".  As we packed up the Reach Out and Read office, ready to move, we found books to give to her classroom of fourth-grade children on their last day of school as a "new book for their own library".   She is also encouraging her students to go to the library and get a card for checking out books.  The library is a long bus ride but with a reward at the end!