A child who’s never had an eye exam may be apprehensive about their appointment. After all, the clinic is a new place filled with tools that may appear intimidating to them as a baby, toddler, or school-aged child. As their parent, understanding more about eye health for children can help you ease their worries and prepare them for a smooth, enjoyable visit with a pediatric optometrist.  

When to Schedule Their First Appointment 

Your child should start having full and regular eye exams at around six months old. Their next appointment with an eye doctor should be scheduled when they’re about three, then at five or six years old, provided they don’t have vision problems. After that, an eye exam should only be necessary every two years, unless your child needs vision correction, in which case the appointments should be annual. However, you should schedule a visit right away if you notice any of the following:  

• Your child blinks or rubs their eyes excessively. 

• They can’t track objects well or keep eye contact. 

• The eyes appear to be misaligned or unable to move together. 

• The eyes seem to jump around uncontrollably, even after three months. 

• One eye is “lazy.” 

• Their pupils appear white in photographs. 

What to Expect  

For a child’s first comprehensive eye exam, most pediatric optometrists simply monitor basic development. They’ll use a penlight to determine whether there are any signs of drooping eyelids, tearing, infections, or diseases. They’ll also measure the pupils’ sizes and how they respond to light. To check for tumors or cataracts, they’ll turn off the lights and use specialized tools to see if a red reflex appears in their eyes.  

Why Eye Exams Are Important at Every Stage of Your Child’s Life 

Even if your child’s eyes are perfectly fine when they’re born, they could get injured or develop diseases or vision loss, especially if there’s a history of poor eye health in your family. Issues with eye health can make school and socialization more difficult because they’ll be unable to see blackboards, white boards, and other people as well as they should. Having regular eye exams for your child ensures that any serious problems can be addressed quickly, giving them an easier opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and in any hobbies or fields that interest them. 

No matter your child’s age, you can optimize their eye health by scheduling an eye exam at Northern Lights Eye Care in Anchorage, AK. Having served child and adult patients with state-of-the-art technology for the past 14 years, they have the knowledge and tools to accurately assess your child’s eyes and provide quick, thorough treatment if necessary. They also strive to make their quality services affordable by offering financing plans. To make an appointment today, call them at (907) 276-3937 or send them a message online.