KIDS
When to have your child’s eyes examined
Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age.
Why children’s eye exams are important
Eye exams for children are very important to insure your child’s eyes are healthy and have no vision problems that could interfere with school performance and potentially affect your child’s safety.
Early eye exams also are important because children need the following visual skills that are essential for optimal learning:
- Excellent visual acuity at all distances
- Accurate and comfortable eye teaming skills
- Accurate eye movement skills
- Accurate and comfortable focusing skills
What conditions are eye doctors looking for?
Your eye doctor will look for many conditions, including:
Amblyopia (lazy eye): Amblyopia occurs when one eye works better than the other. When left untreated, it can cause vision loss.
Strabismus: Strabismus means that the eyes point in different directions. Even if it occurs sometimes, you should take your child in for an eye exam.
Ptosis: Ptosis means that there is a drooping eyelid blocking your child’s vision. If you notice that one eyelid droops or that they are uneven, you should talk to a doctor.
Myopia (nearsightedness): Myopia or nearsightedness affects how you see objects nearby. Being nearsighted means you can only see objects that are nearby clearly.
If your child squints or cannot see the board at school, book an eye exam.