Jackson Free Press

Optometrist Dr. Tonyatta Hairston says it is important for children to get their eyes checked every year starting from age 3—when most children can communicate if they are having some trouble with their eyesight, from blurry vision to trouble when reading. The biggest problem in younger children, she says, is myopia, or near-sightedness.

"The problems I mostly hear are, 'I can't see the board,' Hairston says.

If children constantly rub their eyes, sit too close to the television, or if their handwriting slants toward a certain direction, they could be exhibiting symptoms of eye problems.

Hairston advises that the best correctional lenses for children are polycarbonates. Polycarbonate frames are durable and tough, ideal for the active lifestyle of children. Polycarbonate frames, such as Flex-On or t2, are impact-resistant; the lens will not shatter if children are accidentally hit in the face.

The earlier a child has an eye exam, the greater the chance an optometrist can catch an imbalance in the eye and prevent complications such as lazy eye, cataracts, glaucoma or other diseases.

"President Obama talks about the importance of preventive health care," Hairston says. "Prevention is key … It is riskier and more expensive to deal with a problem that could have been discovered earlier."

For more information on eye care, visit the American Optometric Association Web site at http://www.aoa.org.