A pediatric eye exam is a crucial part of your child’s health care. Healthy vision is essential for learning, development, and everyday activities. Regular eye exams help detect vision problems and eye diseases early, so children can see clearly and thrive at school and at play.
When Should Your Child Have Their First Eye Exam?
Children should have their first eye exam around the age of six months. This infant eye exam is crucial for catching early development issues. If the first exam shows their eyes are healthy, follow up with another appointment between the ages of 2 and 3 years.
Although many schools offer annual vision screenings, they are not complete visual exams and the results can be inaccurate. These quick checks often miss common pediatric vision problems like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), or significant refractive errors.
If you notice your child is having trouble with their vision, schedule an appointment with Premier Eye Center so the doctor can address the issue and get them back on track. As with most conditions, early detection can make the solution much easier than waiting to see the doctor and allowing the problem to develop into something worse.
5 Signs Your Child May Need an Eye Exam:
Pay attention to these five symptoms as they can be related to vision problems for children:
Rubbing the eyes frequently
Excessive blinking or sensitivity to light
Frequent squinting or tilting the head to see
Regular headaches or complaints of eye fatigue
Shutting one eye to focus or difficulty concentrating on near work
Yearly Eye Exams Are Essential
Even if eye problems do not run in the family and your child hasn't displayed any of the symptoms above, they should visit the optometrist every year after the age of 3 to ensure their eyes are in good health. Routine pediatric eye care is vital for school success, as 80% of learning is visual.
Premier Eye Center can address any questions you have regarding your child's first visit to the eye doctor before the appointment so they know exactly what to expect. Our children's eye exams are complete, the practice is comfortable and welcoming, and the appointment will not take very long.
Children need to experience their adventures in high definition, and we are here to make sure they do!