Children’s Eye Care & Eye Exams

When Should My Child Have Their Vision Checked?

We understand that ensuring your child's eye health is a top priority for you as a parent. To help you stay on track with their vision care, here's a general timeline for your child's vision check-ups:

• First eye exam around six months: Babies typically have their first eye exam around six months. This early examination is crucial for detecting any potential issues and ensuring that your child's vision is developing as it should.

   

• A check-up at age three: As your child grows, it's important to continue monitoring their vision. A comprehensive eye exam around age three helps identify any visual abnormalities or conditions that may require early intervention.

   

• An exam before starting first grade: Before your child begins their exciting journey into the world of elementary school, it's essential to schedule an eye exam. Your child’s eye doctor will assess their visual acuity and identify any vision problems that could affect their learning and overall development.

   

• Annual kids eye exams once your child enters school: Once your child starts school, we recommend annual eye exams to ensure their vision remains healthy and optimal.

Signs You Should Bring Your Child in for an Eye Exam

As a parent, it's important to be aware of signs that may indicate potential vision problems in your child. While some issues can be corrected with kid’s eyeglasses, others can be symptoms of underlying problems. If you notice any of the following, it’s recommended to schedule a kid’s eye exam as soon as possible:

• Constant rubbing of the eyes: If your child frequently rubs their eyes, it could be a sign of eye strain, fatigue, or discomfort caused by an underlying vision issue.

• Frequent headaches: Headaches, especially after visual tasks like reading or screen time, may be a sign that your child is experiencing eye strain or struggling with their vision.

• Squinting: If your child squints their eyes to try and see clearly, it may indicate that they are having difficulty focusing or seeing objects properly.

• Holding objects or books unusually close or far away: If your child consistently holds objects too close to their face or sits too far away from the TV or classroom board, it could be an indication of nearsightedness or farsightedness.

• Excessive blinking: Excessive blinking can be a sign of eye fatigue or an attempt to clear blurred or distorted vision.

• Favoring one eye: If your child consistently covers one eye or tilts their head to one side while focusing, it may suggest a vision problem or a potential misalignment of the eyes.

• Eyes that are not aligned: Misaligned or crossed eyes, or eyes that do not work together properly, could indicate a condition such as strabismus, which requires attention from an eye care professional.

• Red, swollen, or encrusted eyes: Persistent redness, swelling, or crustiness in the eyes may be signs of an eye infection or allergy that requires evaluation and treatment.

Early detection and intervention are crucial in managing and addressing potential vision problems, so if your child exhibits any of these behaviors, it is strongly advised to schedule an eye exam with a kid’s eye doctor near you.

School Vision Screenings vs. Comprehensive Eye Exams

Parents often think a standard eye exam performed at their child’s school is sufficient. However, the only way to properly detect a vision problem or eye condition is through a comprehensive kid's eye exam.

Therefore, it is important to understand the differences between school vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams to ensure your child receives the best possible eye care.

School Vision Screenings

School vision screenings are usually brief assessments conducted by school nurses or volunteers. They are designed to identify obvious vision difficulties or potential signs of visual impairment in a large number of students.

However, it’s important to note that these screenings are not comprehensive eye exams and have limitations in terms of what they can detect.

Comprehensive Eye Exams

A comprehensive eye exam is a thorough evaluation conducted by an eye care professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist, who specializes in children’s eye care. This exam goes beyond simple vision screenings and provides a comprehensive assessment of your child’s eye health, visual acuity, and overall visual development.

During a comprehensive eye exam, the eye care professional will perform various tests to evaluate your child’s vision, eye alignment, eye teaming, depth perception, and overall eye health. They will also check for common eye conditions, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, lazy eye (amblyopia), and crossed eyes (strabismus).

Detecting vision problems early through a comprehensive exam is the best way to make sure that vision problems don’t impact your child’s academic performance, daily activities, and overall quality of life.

We Are Children’s Eye Care Specialists

Looking for a kind and trusted kids eye doctor near you? You’ve come to the right place.

When it comes to your child's eye care, trust the expertise of the dedicated team at Pearle Vision. Our eye doctors provide high-quality and personalized care for your little ones. Schedule an eye exam with us today, and rest assured that your child's vision health is in the best hands possible. Your child's bright future starts with clear vision!