What is considered normal vision for children?
Disease description:
My child's recent school vision screening showed a visual acuity of 0.8, and I'm a bit concerned. I'd like to ask, what level of vision is considered normal for children?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
A child's standard for normal vision changes as they grow older. Generally, newborns and infants have limited vision and are in a state of high hyperopia (farsightedness), only able to perceive light and shadows. Vision gradually improves as the child grows older.
By age 3, a child's vision should typically reach around 0.6; by age 4, vision should improve to approximately 0.8; and by ages 5 to 6, vision gradually approaches 1.0. Once children reach school age, especially over age 6, their vision should reach or exceed 1.0, which is close to the standard for normal adult vision.
Vision test results can be influenced by multiple factors, including ambient lighting, the accuracy of testing equipment, and the child's level of cooperation. Therefore, if parents notice signs of vision problems in their child, such as frequent blinking, squinting, tilting the head when looking at objects, or sitting very close when reading or watching television, they should promptly take the child to a professional ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye examination, rather than relying solely on a single vision screening result.
