Children and toddlers don’t know what they can't see, think about that! To a child who has never seen the world through eyes other than their own how can they know if their eyes are blurry or overworking or if they should be seeing the world with both eyes? Good eyesight is critical for the development of the visual system and as little learners begin to learn. Even physical activities and sports require strong vision.


Dr. Andrus recommends a first dilated eye exam should be at about 9 months for babies born at term with no other significant risks. After that frequency of eye exams is dictated by risks that the child may have.


Full eye exams on children look very different than teenagers or adults. Dr. Andrus has a variety of techniques involving prisms, lights, lenses, and computerized equipment to fully assess each child or toddler based on their needs. These techniques assess fundamentals such as how well the eyes are aligned, general health of the eyes, and how easy it is for the child's brain to combine the information from both eyes into one understandable “picture” of the world.


Once a child is able to communicate, that school is difficult or that their eyes are tired, then this information can assist Dr. Andrus and the patient and their family in deciding what treatment is best.


Some symptoms for parents to always be mindful of include: squinting, holding toys or books very close to their face, complaints about things appearing blurry, short attention span, quickly losing interest in games, projects, or activities, losing their place when reading, and avoiding reading, drawing, playing games or doing other projects that require focusing up close.

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Call Mid-Modern Eyecare in Midland, Michigan at (989) 486-3025 or click on the banner above to schedule an appointment for your child today.