Eye health is extremely important for people of all ages. That’s why parents are urged to schedule their child’s first exam with an eye doctor as early as possible. Doing so will alert you to any vision issues your child has, while also assuring that they receive corrective lenses for common eye conditions, which can greatly improve many different areas of their life.

First Exams Can Be as Early as Six Months

While many parents wait until just before the start of school to schedule exams, eye doctors say that they should occur much earlier than that. Some recommend bringing your child for a visit as early as six months, with follow-up visits at age 3 and again around age 5 or 6.

Bringing your child in early is especially important if there is a family history of vision issues. This includes problems like amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. This and many other issues are best treated when identified early.

What to Expect During an Eye Exam

When bringing your child in for the first time, the doctor will perform a series of tests. These include gauging the pupil response by flashing a bright light into your child’s eyes. Eye exams can also include fixation and follow testing to see how well eyes move from place to place. As kids get older, eye testing will become a bit more advanced.

By the pre-school years, doctors will utilize an eye chart with symbols since kids this age may not be able to read letters yet, as well as retinoscopy, which establishes the correct eyeglass prescription for children who are near or farsighted.

Eye doctor Daniel J. Kroger OD provides kids in West Chester, OH, with a head start on optimum vision care. His trusted clinic can perform the essential tests listed above, so you can feel comfortable about your child’s eye health. His team will also help you and your family maintain healthy vision for life, whether by updating prescriptions for eyeglasses and contacts or treat serious eye conditions like glaucoma. If you’d like to schedule an exam for you or a loved one, call (513) 777-3936. You can also visit this practice online to learn more about their optical services.