By the time your child is six to nine months of age, they should have an initial visit with an optometrist to check on the development of their eyes and screen for any vision problems or abnormalities. Because this screening happens at such a young age, there is a limited amount that you can do to prepare them for the exam. However, there are still a few tips you can follow to make the appointment go more smoothly.

Start Early

When you visit the optometrist, your provider will perform an eye exam using a penlight, as well as testing your child’s response to lighting changes and movement. You can get an idea of some of your child’s responses ahead of time by holding a toy in their field of vision and moving it back and forth. This way, you can tell your provider if their results are normal or if your child is distracted.

Bring a Medical History

Your optometrist can do the best work when they coordinate with your other medical providers. For this reason, you’ll want to bring your baby’s full medical history with you for the visit. This information will help ensure that any measures your optometrist recommends are compatible with your child’s other treatments and conditions.

Keep Them Calm

You and your child may be in the optometrist’s office for an hour or more, so be prepared. Bring food or a bottle for your child, as well as toys they’re interested in, and try to schedule your appointment so it doesn’t interfere with naptime.

With the right preparation, your appointment at Eyewear Express in Rhinelander, WI, will go smoothly. Their dedicated experts and welcoming atmosphere ensure a positive experience whether you’re coming for a routine checkup, getting glasses or contacts, or getting a screening for eye issues. To schedule a visit, call (715) 365-1515 or contact the practice online.