Regular eye exams are essential for children since their eyes can change significantly in as little as a year as the muscles and tissue develop. Good eyesight is critical for a child’s life and achievements: success in school is closely tied to eye health. School demands intense visual involvement, including reading, writing, using computers, and blackboard/smartboard work. Even physical activities and sports require strong vision. If their eyes aren’t up to the task, a child may feel tired, have trouble concentrating, have problems in school, or have difficulty playing their favorite games, which may affect their overall quality of life.
 

When to Perform a Pediatric Eye Exam?

According to research, a child should have an initial screening between 6 and 12 months of age. After their initial exam, routine eye health and vision screenings throughout childhood should be performed to help detect any abnormalities as their eyes develop. Then, unless otherwise recommended, they should have an exam every two years until the age of 18.
 

What Happens During a Pediatric Eye Exam?

For a newborn, an optometrist should examine the baby’s eyes and perform a test called “red reflex test,” which is a basic indicator that the eyes are normal. In cases where the baby was premature or is at high risk for medical problems for other reasons, has signs of abnormalities, or has a family history of serious vision disorders in childhood, the optometrist should perform a comprehensive exam.

A second eye health examination should be performed when the infant is between six and 12 months old. This examination includes tests of pupil responses to evaluate whether the pupil opens and closes properly in the presence or absence of light, a “fixate and follow” test to determine whether the baby can fixate on an object such as a light and follow it as it moves, and a preferential looking test which uses cards that are blank on one side with stripes on the other side to attract the gaze of an infant to the stripes. Infants should be able to perform this task well by the time they are 3 months old.

For preschoolers, a child’s visual acuity and eye alignment should be assessed between the ages of 3 and 3½. If the child is diagnosed with misaligned eyes (strabismus), “lazy eye” (amblyopia), refractive errors (astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia), or any other focusing problems, it’s crucial to begin treatment as soon as possible to ensure successful vision correction and life-long benefits.

At school age or upon entering school, the child’s eyes should be screened for visual acuity and alignment. In this age group, nearsightedness (myopia) is the most common refractive error and can be corrected with eyeglasses.

There are some signs that parents can tell if their child has a vision problem. For example, the child may squint, hold reading materials very close to their face, or complain about things appearing blurry. However, there are some less obvious signs that may indicate vision problems, such as having a short attention span, quickly losing interest in games, projects, or activities that require using their eyes for an extended period of time, or losing their place when reading. Children with vision problems may also avoid reading, drawing, playing games, or doing other projects that require focusing up close. Another sign is that a child may turn their head to the side when looking at something in front of them. This may be a sign of a refractive error, including astigmatism.

It is so important for kids to have regular eye screenings with an optometrist! The earlier a vision problem is found and treated, the better off your child will be in and out of school.