Pediatric Eye Exams

Even if no eye or vision problems are apparent, the American Optometric Association recommends scheduling your baby’s first eye assessment at 6 months.

Things that the Optometrist will test for include:

excessive or unequal amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
eye movement ability
eye health problems

These problems are not common, but it is important to identify children who have them at this young age. Vision development and eye health problems are easier to correct if treatment begins early. In order to ensure that eye health becomes a routine part of infant wellness, some services may be available to our infant patients through the InfantSee program.

According to the American Optometric Association children with uncorrected vision conditions or eye health problems face many barriers in life … academically … socially … and athletically. High-quality eye care can break down these barriers and help enable your children to reach their highest potential.

FAQ

My child passed the school vision screening. Do they still need have a full comprehensive eye exam?

Just because a student passes a school vision screening, does not mean that a child does not need an eye exam. Many school vision screenings only test for distance visual acuity. A child who can see 20/20 can still have a vision problem. In reality, the vision skills needed for successful reading and learning are much more complex.

My child has never complained about not being able to see. Why would I have their eyes checked?

Children often don’t know how they should see or feel and may not report if something is wrong. If a child’s eyes and vision suffer, so too will their general health and ability to engage in normal childhood activities. Research has shown that vision problems are associated with delayed development, poor performance in school and social settings, and low self-esteem. The bottom line: the sooner eye problems are identified and addressed, the better the outcome in childhood and beyond.

Why would my child need to get their eyes checked so young, they aren't even in school yet?

The longer a vision problem goes undiagnosed and untreated, the more a child’s brain learns to accommodate the vision problem.That is why a a comprehensive eye examination is so important for children. Early detection and treatment provide the very best opportunity to correct vision problems, so your child can learn to see clearly. Make sure your child has the best possible tools to learn successfully.