As per the American Optometric Association, children should have their complete eye checkups at six months, three years, and five years of age. After that, a complete annual eye exam should be conducted, and if no vision correction is needed, it should be scheduled every one to two years.
Why Regular Pediatric Eye Exams?
Regular eye exams are helpful to diagnose and treat vision problems, eye injury, and diseases in the child if they have any. As per different studies, up to 10% of preschoolers and 25% of school-aged kids suffer from vision issues. Early detection and treatment of the first signs of vision problems can save the child from difficulties due to poor vision and any permanent damage to the eye.
Children often do not become aware of their visual problems and hence do not express any complaints or difficulties, making regular eye checkups essential during childhood.
What Does a Pediatric Eye Exam Consist of?
The doctor tests the child’s visual sense, eye tracking, and focusing skills during a pediatric eye exam. A pediatric eye checkup also entails the following services:
Common vision problems: myopia and hyperopia, astigmatism, childhood tearing, color blindness
Genetic eye diseases: pediatric cataracts, pediatric glaucoma, pediatric retinal problems, anophthalmia, coloboma, microphthalmia, optic nerve hypoplasia, congenital ptosis
Childhood eye trauma
Childhood eye infections: conjunctivitis, herpes simplex virus keratitis
How Can Parents Ensure Their Child’s Vision Health?
Watch your child for the following symptoms, as these may signal the need for a complete pediatric eye checkup.
- If your child holds their books, toys, and other things close to the face
- If the child squints or blinks frequently
- If they always tilt their head when reading a book
- If they show other unusual interactions with objects and people
- If they constantly rub their eyes
- If the child fails to make eye contacts
- If the child finds it difficult to fix their gaze
Take your child for a vision screening, even if they do not display any symptoms of a vision problem.
- A vision screening can be conducted during the child’s well-child visit.
Ensure that your child follows the suggested treatment plan
If the doctor detects a vision problem for your child during the eye exam, the eye doctor may prescribe some treatment options or glasses if needed to support their vision health needs. Make sure that your child follows the plan and wears glasses as prescribed.
To get a comprehensive eye exam for your child, visit us at Summerlin Vision in the Las Vegas area or call at (702) 243-8788 to schedule your appointment.
