When Should Your Child Have Their First Eye Exam?

Ensuring your child is set up for success entails giving them the best eye care. Vision plays a significant role in children’s learning. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), 80% of learning for a child happens through their eyes.

 

Therefore, it is ideal to have your child get regular eye checkups to ensure optimum eye health. Knowing the time to schedule that first eye doctor appointment is very crucial.

 

Why Eye Exams Are Necessary

Early childhood eye exams are ideal to ensure normal vision development. Also, doctors can catch eye problems early before they advance. Some experts say that a large percentage of what children learn in their early years is visual. Good vision is essential for your child’s learning.

 

Kids’ eye problems have grown over the years. Most children routinely use tablets and computers. Such devices emit harmful light to the eyes if used for long periods. It is crucial to pay attention to your child’s eyes from the moment they are born. Children can have eye problems but may not ask for help since they may not realize something is wrong. 

 

Some babies are born with eye alignment issues called strabismus. The problems can turn into incomplete vision development called amblyopia. If not treated early, your child can get a visual disability.

 

Many infants develop refractive errors such as astigmatism and farsightedness. As a result, they can experience blurred vision, eyestrain, or headaches. Myopia is the most common eye problem your child can have. Your child can struggle to see objects that are far. Early eye exams help catch such conditions. You can prevent eye issues before they advance into being severe.

 

When Should Your Child Get Their First Eye Exam?

According to the American Optometric Association, children need to have their first eye exams at six months. Young children’s eye exams are not as extensive as that of older children. The eye doctor will conduct tests to ensure there are no eye problems. Doing so helps avoid eye health issues that hinder vision development.

 

How Often Should Children Have Eye Exams?

Children diagnosed with vision problems should have their eyes examined annually. Your child’s eye doctor can also recommend frequent eye exams if your child has risk factors for specific eye problems.

 

Children who have healthy eyes can take their eye exams at spaced-out intervals. According to the American Optometrist Association, your child should have their next eye exam:

• At three years
   

• At five to six years before kindergarten or their first grade
   

• Every one to two years afterward
  
   

How to Prepare for Your Child’s First Eye Exam

Scheduling the first eye exam for your child needs preparation. Most pediatric eye exams take at least one hour. Ensure you know how long the doctor will take for your proper planning. 

 

Know the medicines your child is taking to inform the eye doctor before the examination. It is also ideal to have the child’s medical history. Your doctor will also ask about the family medical history for cases such as myopia. Also, ensure you have a list of questions for the doctor. Carry a notepad to write down every instruction or answer the eye doctor gives you. 

 

Preparing Your Child

Age matters when preparing your child for their first eye exam. It is ideal to talk to them about the exam a day or two before the appointment for older children. For the younger children, ensure they are comfortable during the whole examination.

For more information on pediatric eye exams, contact Parkside Eye Care at our office in Cary, North Carolina. You can call (919) 883-9987 to book an appointment today.