What Is a Kid’s Eye Exam?

Eye exams for kids are performed by an optometrist to determine your child’s eye health and visual abilities. Many learning skills are dependent on the strength of a child’s visual skills, so doctors recommend that children have their first eye exam as early as six months of age, and again before they begin school. 

During the exam, the eye doctor may ask you to answer questions about your child’s birth or health history. They will also ask about any concerns you may have regarding your child’s eye health or vision. Be sure to communicate any delays in your child’s motor development or other conditions diagnosed by a family doctor.

How Can You Tell If A Child Has Vision Problems?

At EyeCare Associates, our children eye specialists can diagnose and treat a variety of eye conditions. It’s recommended that you schedule regular or annual eye exam appointments for your child. If you notice changes in your child’s vision, you should call your child’s eye doctor immediately. There are several common signs that could indicate that children may have vision problems including: 

• Squinting

• Covering their eyes

• Headaches

• Rubbing the eyes

• Poor hand-eye coordination

• Clumsiness

What Should I Expect During My Child’s Eye Exam?

EyeCare Associates specialize in eye care for kids and will perform a physical exam of a child’s eyes for signs of eye disorders such as strabismus, farsightedness, myopia, or astigmatism. 

During the examination, your child’s eye doctor will conduct vision screening using eye chart tests to measure your child’s eye development and will also carefully observe each eye as your child follows lights or toys. Children who talk but cannot read may be asked to point to or identify pictures of objects.

Your child’s eye exam will include eye alignment testing and an evaluation of the outside and inside of the eye. Your child’s optometrist might recommend your child’s eyes be dilated, which is a safe and effective way to ensure a reliable examination, even in very young children.

How Often Do Kids Need an Eye Exam?

The optometrists at EyeCare Associates in Alabama recommend that even if no eye or vision problems are apparent, children have their first eye exam as early as six months to ensure that their eyes are developing normally. Your child’s eye doctor will test for many things, including myopia (nearsightedness), farsightedness, or astigmatism as well as eye movement ability, eye alignment, and the overall health of your child’s eyes.

It’s recommended that children have their eyes examined by an eye doctor every year. Annual eye exams are critical to detect childhood eye problems and vision is more than just the ability to see clearly or having 20/20 eyesight. 

Roughly 80% of what a child learns in school is information that is presented visually. When it comes to keeping children healthy and ensuring proper development, regular comprehensive eye exams are important. Healthy vision is essential to a child’s ability to learn, achieve their academic potential, play sports, and participate in activities so make sure you schedule their eye exam before they start school.