Recommended eye exam schedule for children
The American Optometric Association recommends:
- Infants: a first eye assessment between 6 and 12 months of age
- Preschoolers: at least one comprehensive exam between ages 3 and 5
- School-age children: an exam before first grade, then every year through age 17
School vision screenings aren't enough
A screening at school or the pediatrician's office checks whether a child can read letters on a chart from across the room. It can miss focusing problems, eye teaming issues, farsightedness, and early eye health concerns. A comprehensive exam with an optometrist looks at all of it.
Signs your child may have a vision problem
- Squinting, tilting the head or covering one eye
- Sitting very close to the TV or holding devices close to the face
- Frequent headaches or eye rubbing
- Losing their place while reading, or avoiding reading
- An eye that turns in or out
- Trouble seeing the board at school
Common conditions we look for
- Myopia (nearsightedness), which often gets worse through childhood
- Amblyopia ("lazy eye"), most treatable when caught early
- Strabismus, an eye turn
- Astigmatism and farsightedness, which can make reading tiring
If your child is nearsighted
Glasses make distant objects clear, but they don't slow the eye's growth. Myopia management, with options like Essilor Stellest lenses, MiSight 1 day contact lenses and low-dose atropine drops, can slow progression while your child's eyes are developing.
Tips for a great first visit
- Book a time when your child is usually rested and fed
- Bring any glasses they already wear
- Let us know about premature birth, developmental delays, or a family history of eye conditions
Durable, kid-friendly frames and UV-blocking sunglasses are available at our optical.