Pediatric Eye Exams
We understand the importance of maintaining optimal eye health for your child. Regular eye exams are essential to ensure proper vision development and early detection of any potential issues. In addition to tests performed in a comprehensive eye exam, children’s eye exams may involve additional or alternative testing than adult exams.
What to Expect During a Child’s Eye Exam
Comprehensive Assessment
Our experienced doctors will conduct a thorough evaluation of your child's vision and eye health. This assessment typically includes visual acuity tests, examining eye movements and coordination, checking eye alignment, and evaluating the overall health of the eyes.
Age-Appropriate Techniques
Depending on your child's age, our team will utilize various techniques to ensure accurate results. For younger children, we may employ playful and interactive methods to engage their attention during the examination process.
Refractive Error Assessment
Refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, are common vision problems in children. During the exam, we will assess the clarity of your child's vision and determine if corrective eyewear is necessary. Sometimes both objective and subjective testing methods can be used.
Color Vision Assessment
Color vision testing is to detect color blindness, a deficiency in the way certain colors are perceived. This condition is often inherited and more commonly affects males.
Binocular “3D” Vision Assessment
Stereopsis is the ability of the eyes to work together to perceive depth. This depth perception occurs because our two eyes view the world from slightly different angles, and our brain fuses these two views into a single, three-dimensional image.
Strabismus Evaluation
Strabismus refers to the misalignment of the eyes, commonly known as "crossed" or "wandering" eyes. Our experts will carefully examine your child's eye alignment to detect any signs of strabismus, as early intervention is crucial for proper vision development.
Amblyopia or Lazy Eye Screening
Amblyopia occurs when one eye has significantly reduced vision compared to the other, even with a proper eyeglass prescription. We will evaluate your child's visual acuity in both eyes to identify any signs of amblyopia and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Tips to Prepare for Your Child's Eye Exam
Schedule Regular Check-ups: It is recommended to schedule your child's eye exam at least once every year, starting from 6 months old. Regular check-ups help monitor their vision development and promptly address any concerns.
Talk About the Exam: Explain to your child what they can expect during the eye exam, emphasizing that it is painless and non-invasive. Addressing their concerns and reassuring them can help alleviate anxiety or fear.
Bring Medical History: Prior to the appointment, provide your eye care professional with your child's medical history, including any previous eye conditions or treatments. This information will help in assessing their current eye health more accurately.
Note Any Symptoms or Unusual Behaviors: If your child is experiencing symptoms like frequent eye rubbing, squinting, headaches, or difficulty focusing, make sure to communicate these to the eye care professional. These symptoms may indicate an underlying vision problem.
Eye Development in Infants
In the first year of life, infants are on an exciting journey of learning to utilize their visual capabilities. In the beginning stages, their eyes are predominantly light-sensitive, showing a preference for large, luminous objects situated at a close distance. As their visual development progresses, infants gradually learn to coordinate both eyes together, a task that can be quite challenging.
The world of vision is entirely new for these young ones. Their eyes are exploring various facets of visual perception, including judging distances and identifying smiles. The American Association of Optometry suggests that parents should arrange for their child's first eye exam when they reach the age of six months.
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Our unwavering commitment revolves around delivering tailored, cooperative, and all-encompassing eye care. If you're ready to start your eyecare journey with our team, schedule an appointment with us today.