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When Should Children First Visit an Eye Doctor?

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A first child’s eye examination allows an eye doctor to identify and address any eye condition early. The optometrist may also assess the child’s vision and possible changes that affect their vision quality. Here is more information on when children should get their first eye exam:

First Comprehensive Eye Exam

Children should first undergo comprehensive eye exams between 6 and 12 months old. During the first eye examination, an eye specialist can test the child’s eye movement and vision quality. The optometrist will ask about the child’s medical history or their family’s eye health history.

The eye care doctor performs a refraction eye test, which can help an optometrist know if your child is nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic. Diagnosing these refractive errors can help an optometrist recommend contact lenses immediately after the first eye examination. The optometrist may conduct a visual acuity test to check how clear your child’s vision is.

Optometrists conduct eye coordination tests to determine if a child’s eyes align correctly. Proper eye coordination can enable your child to process visual information accurately. Eye convergence refers to the ability of the eyes to move and work together as a team.

Children’s first visit to optometrists also involves eye health testing. An optometrist can examine how a child’s pupils respond to light during this test. Healthy pupils should constrict when exposed to bright lights and dilate when lights dim. Intraocular pressure tests are used to check the amount of force inside a child’s eye. Healthy eyes should have an intraocular pressure ranging from 10 to 20 mmHg.

Signs Your Child Needs an Eye Exam

Frequent eye rubbing by your child can signify the need for a comprehensive eye examination. Eyestrain, dry eyes, or eye infection may cause your child to rub their eyes consistently. An eye care specialist can prescribe the right eye drops to treat your child’s eye infections or allergies.

Your child should undergo an eye exam if they have crossed eyes. Crossed eyes can cause difficulty in eye coordination and focus due to misalignment. Vision therapy or prism glasses improve the vision of children with crossed eyes.

Having a lazy eye can also warrant an eye exam. Astigmatism or eye misalignment may cause a child to have a lazy eye. Corrective contact lenses, eye patches, or eye drops can help correct this issue by slowly stimulating and strengthening the weaker eye.

Children who sit too close to televisions, boards, or other objects should also have their eyes examined. Sitting too close to objects is a sign of nearsightedness or myopia. An eye doctor can recommend dual-focus contact lenses to children with myopia. Dual-focus contact lenses slow the progress of nearsightedness by improving the focus of the central retina.

Preparing a Child for an Eye Exam

Bringing your child’s favorite toy to an optometrist’s clinic can help reduce anxiety during an eye examination. Before meeting the doctor, you can talk to your child about what happens in an eye appointment. A virtual tour of an optometrist’s clinic may also mentally prepare your child for the exam.

Check to see if they’re good with children and have options in place for those who might be nervous. Ask the optometrist about the charged fees, payment plan, and type of eye care your child could get. Your child’s eye care doctor should have accreditation from the State Board of Optometry.

Contact an Eye Doctor

Professional eye care doctors examine children’s eye conditions to determine the right treatments. The specialist can perform refraction, eye health, and eye coordination tests during your child’s first visit. Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor today to learn more about your child’s vision.

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