Preschoolers more likely to have vision problems

Two population-based studies were the focus for researchers examining the future of eye health of children. The retrospective study included the records of children ages 3 to 5 years in the United States from 2015. The research team from the University of Southern California considered visual impairment as decreased visual acuity (VA) as being <20/50 in children between 36 and 47 months of age or <20/40 in children 48 months of age and older. What they found was that visual impairment in preschoolers will increase by 26% over the next 45 years. Researchers hope that the study results will be the impetus for intervention to hopefully prevent visual impairment in childhood. Early visual problems have an adverse impact in education and social activities.*