Pediatric Eye Exams

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Regular eye exams are important for children since their eyes can change significantly in as little as a year as the muscles and tissue develop. Good eyesight is critical for a child’s life and achievements since success in school is closely tied to eye health. School demands intense visual involvement, including reading, writing, using computers, and blackboard/smartboard work. Even physical activities and sports require strong vision. If their eyes aren’t up to the task, a child may feel tired, have trouble concentrating, have problems in school or have difficulty playing their favorite games which may affect their overall quality of life.

When to Perform a Pediatric Eye Exam?

Dr. Scasta has been an infantSEE provider since 2007.  This program started by the AOA and Johnson and Johnson gives babies 6 to 12 months of age a one time no cost eye exam which helps eliminate lazy eye or amblyopia that could be misdiagnosed as learning problems.  For more information go to infantSEE.org.

The first exam should be between ages 6-12 months. One test the doctor will do to examine the baby’s eyes and perform a test called “red reflex test” which is a basic indicator that the eyes are normal. In a case that the baby is premature or at high risk for medical problems for other reasons, has signs of abnormalities, or has a family history of serious vision disorders in childhood, the optometrist should perform a comprehensive exam.

A second eye examination should be performed at age 3 or prior to starting kindergarten. This examination includes tests of pupil responses to evaluate whether the pupil opens and closes properly in the presence or absence of light. Visual acuity and eye alignment will be assessed. If the child is diagnosed with misaligned eyes (strabismus), "amblyopia" (also known as lazy eye), refractive errors (astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia) or any other focusing problems, it’s important to begin treatment as soon as possible to ensure successful vision correction and life-long benefits. In this age group, nearsightedness (myopia) is the most common refractive error and can be corrected with eyeglasses.

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There are some signs that parents can tell if their child has a vision problem. For example, the child may squint, hold reading materials very close to their face, or complain about things appearing blurry. However, there are some less obvious signs that may indicate vision problems, such as having a short attention span, quickly losing interest in games, projects or activities that require using their eyes for an extended period of time, or losing their place when reading. As well as choosing to avoid reading, drawing, playing games or doing other projects that require focusing up close. Another sign is that a child may turn his or her head to the side when looking at something in front of them. This may be a sign of a refractive error, including astigmatism, so by turning their head helps the child see better.

That’s why it is so important for kids to have regular comprehensive eye exams with an optometrist. The earlier a vision problem is found and treated, the better off your child will be in and out of school.