Eye care management is a concern for someone at any age, but certain disorders require action in childhood. Through use of the Medicaid Claims Vision and Eye Health Surveillance Survey (2016-2021), this study finds an increase in vision disorders that need to be treated in early childhood. Between 2016 and 2021 there has been an increase in Degenerative Myopia, a critical form of progressive myopia, and Strabismus and Amblyopia for children with low socioeconomic status. Early intervention for these disorders, like vision screenings, have also risen during this time. This study evaluates social causes such as vision screenings and population make-up in relation to increases in these disorders. Findings suggest that the change in racial make-up of the United States and an increase in vision screenings do not contribute to higher rates of these disorders in children. This suggests another factor is causing these increases that needs to be examined.
