The eye in childhood

Normal visual development is rapid during the first six months of life and; continues through the first decade. Young children are uniquely sensitive t o conditions that interfere with vision and visual development. Amblyopia, or functionally defective development of the central visual system, may be caused by common vision problems such as strabismus, -uncorrected refractiv e errors and deprivation secondary to occlusion. Prematurity is especially associated with eye pathology, including retinopathy of prematurity, amblyo pia, strabismus and refractive errors. When detected early,:amplyopia and m any other childhood vision abnormalities are treatable, but the potential f or correction;and normal visual development is inversely related to age, Si nce many affected children are asymptomatic, early detection of abnormal vi sual function requires effective screening throughout early childhood. Spec ial considerations apply to:screening examinations of children born prematu rely.