When Should Your Child Have Eye Exams?

When To Go

Book your child’s inauguratory visit to the eye doctor when the child is 6 months to 1 year old to ensure their eyes are developing correctly. The doctor will check for issues such as crossed or lazy eyes, where vision is weaker in one eye.

If your child does not have any issue requiring treatment or corrective eyewear, they will not need another exam until age 3. You can then wait until the child is 5 years old to schedule the next exam if their eyes stay healthy, and they do not sustain related injuries requiring immediate attention.

Early eye exams provide preventive benefits by identifying any vision issues before they have the chance to worsen. A lazy eye, for example, can result in vision loss because the child favors the dominant eye. Preliminary exams also benefit your child if your family has a history of early vision loss or other eye health issues.

What Will Happen

Your child’s exam will likely include several tests in light of their age, such as pupil tests that determine if the eyes react to light normally, and vision tests that check the eyes’ depth perception and how well they see objects or letters at varying distances.

Other exams include movement tests that determine how well the eyes follow moving objects, peripheral vision tests, and whether there are any indications of astigmatism, which is when the eyes are not shaped correctly.
 

Bring your child to the caring professionals at Alan L. Ginsburg OD, the family eye care center serving residents throughout High Point, NC, and the surrounding areas. Specializing in children’s eye care, the eye doctor performs comprehensive vision tests and offers over 40 years of experience. Call (336) 889-6566 today to schedule an appointment or learn more about optical services online.