Screening for Visual Impairment in Children Younger Than Age 5 Years: Recommendation Statement

The Article in Brief

The most common vision problems in children are amblyopia (dimness of vision or "lazy eye"), nearsightedness, and farsightedness. According to a new U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation, children under the age of 5 years should be tested for amblyopia, strabismus ("crossed eyes" in which the eyes do not look in the same direction), and visual acuity (the ability to distinguish details and shapes of objects). Early detection and treatment of amblyopia can improve visual acuity. Left uncorrected, it may harm school performance, ability to learn, and self-image, and it may be a risk factor for blindness.