Background:
Undiagnosed eye defects in childhood affect adult life and can cause irreversible changes. The aim of the study is to evaluate the state of preventing eye diseases in a selected group of children from the Silesian Voivodeship.

Methods:
The study was based on an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 11 questions about the prevention of eye diseases and included 603 parents of children aged from 2–10 (4.84 ± 1.47).

Results:
Among the selected group, 43.45% children were at least once examined by an ophthalmologist. The average age during the appointment was 3.06 ± 1.71. For 101 children it was a prophylaxis visit and for 142 it was due to alarming symptoms. 52 (8.62%) children had eye defects and 44 of them wore glasses. The most common eye defect was strabismus (5.47%). Regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist were reported by 11.61% parents. The study showed that 40.13% children have never had a visual acuity examination. Among the group, 35.16% parents mentioned alarming symptoms of eye defects and the information sources were: doctor (28.9%), the Internet (27.5%), newspapers (18.2%).

Conclusions:
1. The prevention of eye diseases among pre-school children is insufficient. 2. The state of parent’s knowledge about the prevention of eye disease and defects among children is low.