Prevent Blindness America Stresses Importance Of Early Diagnosis And Treatment Of Amblyopia

Prevent Blindness America
Wednesday, 1 August 2001

Schaumburg, IL - Vision screening of children is critically important. More than 12.1 million school-age children, or one in four, have some form of vision problem. Prevent Blindness America (PBA) and its network of field offices conduct vision screening programs in pre-schools and elementary schools to detect common eye problems that can lead to amblyopia ("lazy eye"), a sight-threatening problem in children. PBA sponsors Amblyopia Awareness Month in August to educate parents and the public about this serious childhood eye condition.

Amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye", has many causes. Most often it results from a misalignment of a child's eyes, such as crossed eyes. A difference in image quality between two eyes (one eye focuses better than the other) can also lead to the condition. With early detection and treatment, the chance for restoring vision is excellent, but by age 9 or 10, the chances are limited.

It is estimated that vision problems in nearly 430,000 children can cause permanent loss of sight, if left untreated. PBA recommends that children see an eye doctor, pediatrician, or family physician for a complete eye examination shortly after birth, at 6 months, between the ages of 3 and 5 before entering school, and periodically throughout the school years.

Every Thursday evening during the summer and every other Thursday during the school year, PBA screens children for vision problems that can lead to amblyopia at the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier. The screenings, which are offered on the 2nd floor from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., are open to any child visiting the museum. "The free screening program has been greeted with a lot of enthusiasm by parents and children," said Jennifer Stolzenbach, Illinois program director. "Since its inception in January 2001, more than 400 kids have been screened from as far away as Nigeria," Stolzenbach added. For more information about this program and vision screenings in Illinois, call (312) 346-9110.

PBA offers a wide range of information about amblyopia on their website, as well as a support group for parents and children called the Eye Patch Club. Information on the club is available at: http://www.preventblindness.org/children/EyePatchClub.html. PBA also offers a Web Forum where parents can chat to each other about their children's eye problems and treatmento receive a copy of Safe Summer Celebrations, call Prevent Blindness America toll-free at 1-800-331-2020. The booklet discusses the dangers of fireworks and offers safe alternatives.

For more information, or to contact Prevent Blindness America, see their website at: www.preventblindness.org