Amblyopia and the 3-Year-Old Health Checkup

A newborn baby can tell brightness, with vision of about 0.01, but the ability to see grows as the baby looks at many things. Vision is thought to reach about 0.05 at 3 months and about 0.1 at 6 months. After that, vision develops rapidly, and by age 3 to 3½, about 70% of children have vision of about 1.0.

The ability to see in three dimensions with both eyes (stereopsis) is thought to be completed a little earlier, by age 2 to 3.

If an eye disease or injury during this period of visual development interferes with the opportunity to “see clearly,” the development of vision is delayed: “amblyopia」

• The size, shape, or position of the eyes looks abnormal
• The eyes shake
• The pupil looks white
• The eyes look odd
• Sensitivity to light
• Constant discharge or tearing
• Tilting the head

However, there are often no obvious symptoms.

Children with amblyopia in only one eye have no trouble in daily life, and the poor vision is sometimes noticed when the child dislikes having one eye covered.

To find eye abnormalities in children early,the 3-year-old health checkupis very important.

To know the exact refractive power of the eye, the eye clinic performs tests using a cycloplegic (atropine) as needed.

For amblyopia caused by refractive error and for accommodative esotropia, it is important to wear treatment glasses every day.

　* Amblyopia glasses prescribed by an ophthalmologist are eligible for the medical expense deduction.

We may also cover the better eye with an eye patch to create time for using the weaker eye.

We provide care in cooperation with our full-timeorthoptists.

Thank you for your continued support.