Pediatric Eye Exams
Children typically will not tell you when they are having a problem with their vision, mostly because they don’t realize that something is wrong in the first place. Pediatrician and school screenings focus on checking their distance vision, but functional vision—which impacts learning ability—involves much more than just visual clarity (i.e. seeing 20/20). There are many vision disorders that may affect a child's ability to read and learn.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends comprehensive vision exams for infants and young children as early as 6 months of age. Early intervention is essential because treatment for certain conditions becomes less effective once the critical period for visual development is over.
80% of what we learn in the classroom is processed through vision.
Is your child having trouble seeing?
It can be hard to notice if your child is having trouble with their vision. Often the signs are very subtle and might not be recognized right away. Symptoms can sometimes be misdiagnosed or overlooked, so it's important to get their eyes checked regularly with a comprehensive eye exam.
Signs your child may be experiencing a vision problem:
Avoids reading and detailed near tasks, like coloring, small games or puzzles
Easily distracted or has a short attention span
Complains of headaches, tired eyes or fatigue
Clumsy or bumps into things
Covers one eye or tilts head when focusing on something
Rubs eyes or sensitive to light
Some vision problems cannot be corrected with glasses alone—they require a treatment called vision therapy. If you or your child have specific academic concerns, please talk to your eye doctor for more information.
Why Choose our Office for your family?
Our team of eye doctors is highly qualified to diagnose and treat patients of all ages. All of our doctors have received residency training in various areas, including primary care, low vision, ocular disease, pediatrics and binocular vision. Residency training is a voluntary, additional year of specialized education that goes beyond the standard optometric curriculum—highlighting the advanced expertise and dedication of our doctors in delivering exceptional eye care.
1 in 4 school-aged children has an undiagnosed vision disorder that may affect school performance.
How often should my child see an optometrist?
Children over the age of 5 should see an optometrist at least once a year for a comprehensive eye exam. Early detection and treatment of vision problems is important to ensure proper vision development.
Unfortunately, a vision screening is not as effective as a comprehensive vision exam—15-20% of school-age children have vision problems a screening is likely to miss. Only a comprehensive eye examination can evaluate overall eye health and vision.
Recommendations from the American Optometric Association (AOA) for in-person comprehensive eye examinations:
Infants: First exam between 6 and 12 months of age for the prevention and/or early diagnosis and treatment of sight-threatening eye conditions and to evaluate visual development.
Preschoolers: At least one eye exam between 3 and 5 years old to prevent or diagnose any condition that may have long-term effects.
School-aged children (6 to 18 years): Before entering the first grade and annually thereafter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a vision screening and a comprehensive eye exam?
Many parents do not know that a vision screening is not the same as a comprehensive eye exam. In fact, a vision screening only evaluates about 4% of the information collected in a comprehensive exam. While a child may pass a general vision screening—like at school or the pediatrician’s office—a comprehensive exam with an optometrist could still reveal a concern. Vision screenings have their advantages, but they are not a substitute for regular professional vision care.
Most vision screenings look at…
distance vision clarity (i.e. 20/20)
ability to follow/track an object
A comprehensive eye exam looks at…
distance and near vision clarity
accuracy of eye movements and eye tracking
amount of glasses prescription
eye coordination
eye health
*performed by doctors with extensive training and education about the eyes and visual system.
Annual comprehensive eye exams help to detect vision issues sooner, including myopia and eye coordination issues that can negatively affect both academic and sports performance. Any child experiencing difficulties in school, particularly with reading, should come in for a comprehensive vision exam.
For more information from the AOA about comprehensive eye exams, please visit their website.
Q: How do you do an eye exam for a young child?
They can’t answer 1 or 2… They may not know their letters yet. How do you do an eye exam for a baby or toddler?
A vision exam for a young child is a bit different than for an older child or adult, but we are looking for all the same things. The doctor will test the child's visual acuity the best we can, using age-appropriate tests including eye charts, picture cards, or special fixation cards for younger babies. We test visual field, eye coordination, and tracking skills using pictures or small toys.
Instead of the “1 or 2” test, the doctor will use a special light—called a retinoscope—to measure the prescription. Often we will recommend relaxing the focusing system of the eye with dilation drops to make these measurements more accurate. Typically after age 5 or 6, children can complete most eye tests just like an adult, though we monitor carefully for any “playful” answers.
Overall, the goal of a vision exam for a younger child is to identify any potential eye issues early, before they can negatively impact the child's visual development or academic success.
Visit our page about comprehensive eye exams for more information about exams for older children and adults.