Recommended Schedule of Eye Examinations:
Signs Your Child May Need Vision Correction:
 | | Six months of age
|
| | Three years of age
|
| | Before starting school (5 years of age)
|
| | Every year while in school
|
| | Anytime you suspect a problem with vision |
| | |
| | Squinting
|
| | Constant or intermittent eye turn in or out
|
| | Frequent Eye Rubbing
|
| | Closing one eye to read or see a distant object
|
| | Holding books very close
|
| | Avoidance of near activities such as reading or |
| | homework
|
| | Complaints of headaches or tired eyes
|
| | Poor school performance |
| | |
Pediatric Vision Evaluations
In accordance with the American Optometric
Association, we recommend eye examinations for
children at ages six months, three years, and
right before they start school. Throughout
school, we suggest annual exams to make sure
no changes are taking place that could impact
school performance.
Our office is very child friendly and
unintimidating. The doctors and staff routinely
work with children which allows each child to feel
safe and comfortable. We have several different
tricks and toys to keep the child engaged during
the examination making it a fun experience. If we
are unable to obtain all of the desired
measurements on the first visit, we can always
schedule another time to finish up.
Your child's vision is the most important tool for
success in school. When vision suffers, so
does academic performance. 25% of school
children have vision problems that can affect
their ability to learn.
Uncorrected refractive errors such as hyperopia
(farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness) and
astigmatism are the primary causes of blurred
distance vision and reading issues. Parents
and teachers should observe their children for
signs the child may need glasses.
Vision and School
Some children have perfect 20/20 vision but still struggle in school. 20/20 vision does not mean the visual
system is functioning properly. Problems with eye teaming, tracking and focusing can cause poor school
performance. Vision therapy can treat visual problems that impact function in school.
Infant and Toddler Exams
Unlike traditional eye exams where the doctor
relies on a response from the patient, it is
possible to measure everything we need to
know without one verbal response from the
child. Using special lights and lenses, we look
at reflexes in the child's eyes which gives us
valuable information regarding their vision. We
also have several methods of measuring visual
acuity for infants and children. These tools,
along with a good history and observation of
the child's visual behavior allow us to
determine if there is a vision problem requiring
glasses.
