You’re probably familiar with the eye chart used by most schools for vision screenings.  It’s called the Snellen chart, and despite its widespread usage, it tends to miss significant vision problems.

As we were putting together a post on amblyopia, we researched the keywords that people use when they search on the Internet for the condition.  A surprising one came to the forefront:  Lazy eyes.

Every parent has seen their kids rubbing their eyes or complaining that their “eyes hurt”. Your initial reaction might be that they either have allergies or have spent too much time in an over-chlorinated pool. Both cases might be correct, but these symptoms may also be an indicator of a much larger vision problem. 

It’s sad but true:  Most kids (maybe even your own) would rather play a video game than go outside and play.  What’s also sad but true is this immersion into the virtual world can lead to some real-life vision problems.