LOOK WHO'S LOOKING

Before parents scold children for sitting too close to the television or for complaining of headaches at school that mysteriously disappear on weekends, an eye exam may be in order.

Between 10 and 15 percent of children have vision problems. But treatments like eyeglasses and "vision therapy" are available.

Cape Girardeau Optometrist Gregory S. Leet said eye doctors are better equipped to evaluate and treat children than ever before.

"Give your child all the advantages," he advises parents. "School's hard enough."

Parents have historically relied on school systems to check children's eyes, Leet said.

Schools offer screenings that will reveal some problems, but a screening isn't a substitute for an eye exam.

The American Optometric Association recommends that all children have an eye exam at age 3, but certainly before they begin school.

During an eye exam, the doctor will check basic areas: the ability to see, if the eyes work together, depth perception, color perception and the general health of the eyes.

The eye exam depends on the age of the child. The older the child, the more detailed the exam.

Children who are 2 or 3 years old should be able to see the television, color and play. "They are not filling out tax forms," Leet said.

A fifth-grade student, on the other hand, needs a more fine-tuned visual system.

Doctors can make a judgment on a baby's vision, even if the child can't speak. The doctor can display a puppet or toy across the room and see if the child pays attention to the toy.

"We want to make sure the child can see normal objects," he said.

A preschooler may be asked to identify simple pictures of a dog or car or birthday cake.

As the child's skills improve, they read from a traditional alphabet eye chart.

Children may have their eyes examined with a retinoscopy. The hand-held instrument looks into the child's eye and can determine fairly accurately farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism. The eyes may be dilated for these parts of the exam.

Children with crossed eyes or a lazy eye need to receive care as early as possible, Leet said. The more years that pass before treatment begins, the tougher it is to correct the problem.

When selecting glasses for a child, parents should ask about the possibility of breakage.

Leet said glasses are available in polycarbonate, an extra tough form of plastic.

Children who play sports also need to consider safety glasses or "rec specs" to protect their eyes.

Sometimes, lenses alone don't correct a person's vision.

Optometric technician Kim Skaggs at Regional Eye Care Center in Cape Girardeau offers vision therapy, which is like physical therapy for the eyes.

Sometimes, she said, people have good eyesight but their vision system doesn't work they way it should.

A child may have trouble focusing on a book or the blackboard. Some children have trouble reading left to right. Others have trouble copying pictures or letters onto paper.

Skaggs, who has a teaching degree, uses games, puzzles and computer programs to help develop visual skills.

Regional Eye Care Center is holding a free screening Wednesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. for children ages 5 through 15. Appointments are required.

Warning signs of possible vision problems

-- Sits too close to the television. From 5 to 6 feet is a good viewing distance.

-- Squints

-- Rubs eyes or has watery eyes

-- Holds reading material too close

-- Complains of headaches that start in late morning or early afternoon during school days, but tend to go away on weekends

-- Has difficulty with schoolwork, especially reading

-- Sloppy paperwork

-- Poor handwriting

-- Persistent reversal of letters for children in third-grade or higher. For example, a "b" is written as a "d."