One in Four Children Has a Vision Problem

"Difficulty seeing for a child is often difficult for parents to notice, because kids won't complain if the leaves on the tree are fuzzy - they don't know any differently," said Dr. Michael Lawrence Cohen, vice president, Professional Services, Sears Optical. "It is very important for parents to have their children's eyes examined regularly, even if they think everything is OK."

That's why Sears Optical and Prevent Blindness America are sponsoring National Eye Exam Month from July 30 through September 9. During National Eye Exam Month, parents are encouraged to bring their kids in to have their eyes examined.

Almost 80 percent of pre-school children have never had an eye exam. Early eye exams can help catch a variety of childhood eye problems, including ambliopia, or lazy eye. Ambliopia, which affects two to three percent of the population, can be treated if caught early. If left undiagnosed, lazy eye can lead to one very weak, and possibly blind, eye. As early as six months, parents should have their children's eyes examined by a doctor of optometry.

It's National Eye Exam Month, so take the time to do something important for your kids - have their eyes examined. If you have questions concerning your child's eye health, contact your local Sears Optical or call Prevent Blindness America at 800-331-2020 or visit them on the Web at www.preventblindness.org.

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