Eye Exams for Kids in Alabama
Alabama Eye Doctors Focused On Kids Eye Health
EyeCare Associates is staffed with highly trained pediatric optometrists who specialize in kid’s eye care, children’s comprehensive eye examinations, and vision development tests.
Our Alabama eye doctors use the latest technology to conduct comprehensive eye exams to assess the health and development of a child’s eyes and vision. Early detection is critical for identifying signs of eye problems and childhood eye disorders. Call EyeCare Associates today to schedule your child’s appointment..
Find Eye Exams for Kids Near You at EyeCare Associates
EyeCare Associates offers kid’s eye exams at our 30 locations across Alabama. Click to find a location near you.
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.
Kid's Eye Exams at EyeCare Associates
The doctors at EyeCare Associates can help assess the health and development of a child's vision. Additionally, the eye doctors at EyeCare Associates can diagnose and treat childhood eye disorders.
Book your kid’s eye exam with one of our pediatric eye care specialists today!
Frequently Asked Questions about Eye Exams for Kids
At EyeCare Associates, a referral is not necessary for back-to-school or routine eye exams for children. EyeCare Associates recommends that a parent request a referral from a family doctor for children with health conditions that affect their eyes. It’s also recommended that parents contact their insurance provider to discuss if they may require a referral before covering a child’s eye exam.
At EyeCare Associates, there are several factors that can determine the cost of the exam such as, your insurance coverage, the state and/or region in which you live, or in the case of an eye exam that results in the diagnosis of a serious childhood eye disorder.
For more information, contact your local provider or research what is covered by your insurance.
ALL Kids covers yearly eye exams for children, TRICARE covers eye exams every two years beginning at the age of three, and Medicaid covers the complete cost of annual kid’s eye exams. EyeCare Associates recommends that parents research their coverage or contact their local provider for more information.
No. Comprehensive eye exams do not cause damage to the eyes and are actually critical for children’s eye health. But the tests and procedures performed during a child’s eye exam may affect the patient with temporary headaches or vision changes.
At EyeCare Associates, a child’s eye exam can last anywhere from thirty minutes to one hour. The timing of the exam depends on the complexity of a child’s health and development and the types of testing included in the exam.
Book Your Child’s Eye Exam at EyeCare Associates
The Alabama doctors at EyeCare Associates can help assess the health and development of a child's vision. We can also diagnose and treat childhood eye disorders. Contact a local EyeCare Associates office in Alabama today!