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When Should Your Child’s First Eye Exam Be?

As a parent, you want to get your child off to a good start in life, and eyesight forms an important part of growth and development. However, when is the right time to start having your child’s eyes checked?

It’s essential not to postpone eye exams for young infants and children because some early eye problems can affect vision for life. Discovering a potential problem earlier can keep a minor problem from becoming significant, which may be harder to treat later.

Eye exams are not only a way to know if your child is seeing clearly or requires visual correction, but also, like regular check-ups with a pediatrician, eye examinations are about preventive care.

At What Age Should My Child Have Their Eyes Examined?

A comprehensive eye examination should ideally take place by the age of one and be repeated before preschool for children without obvious eye problems. Pediatricians perform limited eye exams shortly after birth and in the first few years of life.

Eye examinations become much more important in children who:

• Have a sibling or a parent with a major eye condition, such as strabismus (crossed or turned eyes) or lazy eye (amblyopia).
• If you suspect your child has a visual problem.

How Do You Know If There Is a Problem?

Following these tips will help you protect your child’s vision and promote healthy eyesight for life:

1. Don’t wait until your child starts school: If you have concerns about your young child’s vision, schedule an eye exam with a certified eye care professional as soon as possible.
2. Consider your family history: A family history of vision problems increases the likelihood of your child having similar issues, so early monitoring is crucial.
3. Visit the right professional: Optometrists and ophthalmologists specialize in eye health and can detect early problems, often using child-friendly tools for a positive experience.
4. Trust your instincts: Parents know their children best and are often the first to notice signs of an issue. Work closely with your practitioner to address concerns.

What to Expect During the Eye Exam

The first eye exam can feel daunting for a child. Talk to them beforehand about the process to help them feel at ease. A comprehensive exam may include:

• Testing pupil response to light.
• Evaluating eye alignment and focusing ability.
• Checking for "lazy eye" (amblyopia) or crossed eyes (strabismus).
• Assessing binocular vision (how the eyes work together).
• Measuring peripheral vision and testing for focus errors.
• Examining the retina and overall eye health.

Early detection of eye problems can make a significant difference in your child’s vision and quality of life.

Images taken from Spectrum Eyecare software.