What is the primary goal of vision screening in children?

The primary goal of vision screening in children is to detect amblyopia and other visual impairments early. Amblyopia, commonly known as "lazy eye," can significantly impact a child's visual development and overall quality of life if not identified and treated promptly. Early detection is crucial because the visual system is still developing in childhood, and interventions such as corrective lenses, patching, or other treatments are most effective when initiated early in life.

While determining the need for corrective lenses, assessing eye coordination and alignment, and evaluating the general health of the eyes are important aspects of comprehensive eye care, they are secondary to the primary goal of identifying potential vision problems as soon as possible. Early intervention plays a critical role in preventing long-term visual impairment, and vision screening serves as the first step in this process.