Number of Toddlers Needing Glasses Expected To Rise

As reported in the article, to catch issues early, the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommendation is that babies should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist between the ages of six and 12 months, and annually as normal after that. AOA makes available to members its Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination Quick Reference Guidewith additional information on providing eye examinations for children. And, beginning later this month, enrollment into Covered California, the state’s insurance exchange, will re-open. As doctors know, pediatric vision care is one of the 10 essential health benefits required by all insurers under the Affordable Care Act. Laundry Detergent Pods Can Injure Children’s Eyes

A new study published in the October edition of the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus reports on the potential risk of eye injury to children from laundry and dishwasher detergent pods to children. The study examined a case series of children seen in a nine month period with corneal injuries from exposure to liquid detergent pods. The pods may seem like a toy to children, who can rupture the packaging either through squeezing or biting, which can result in eye injuries that are often worse than those caused by bottled detergents.