When to Start Pediatric Eye Exams

Good eyesight is important for a child’s development, overall well-being, and performance in school. A baby’s or toddler’s vision system is not fully formed. Equal input from both eyes, however, is important for the normal development of the brain’s vision centers. If a toddler’s or child’s eyes are unable to send clear images to his or her brain, it may limit his or her vision in different ways. Some of these vision limitations may be irreversible.
 

Therefore, pediatric vision screening is so important. If an eye doctor detects vision problems in your child early, chances of effective treatment will increase. Only ophthalmologists and optometrists have the necessary clinical tools, training, and experience to examine your child’s vision and eyes.

 

Why Pediatric Eye Exams Are Important

It is imperative to understand the importance of eye exams for your kids and when to start them. These exams are key to keeping your child’s eyes healthy. They can help ensure no vision problems will interfere with your child’s performance in school. They can also help prevent vision problems that might potentially pose a safety risk to your child.

 

The Best Time to Start Pediatric Eye Exams

It is important to start your little one off to a good start in every way possible. This includes the health of his or her eyes. Many parents often wonder when to start pediatric eye exams for their children. After all, babies and young toddlers cannot read an eye chart. Nevertheless, it is important to start as early as possible.
 

You should not delay taking your child for an eye examination. Early detection of any vision problems will increase the chances of successful treatment. If left untreated, some eye problems can affect your child’s vision for life. Finding minor problems early can keep them from worsening and becoming more difficult to treat. Like regular physicals, pediatric eye exams are all about the prevention of serious eye problems.
 

According to most eye doctors, your child should have his or her first eye exam after birth and then at six months of age. Other comprehensive eye exams should happen at three years of age and just before he or she enters first grade. School-aged kids should have pediatric eye screening at least every two years. If your child needs contact lenses or eyeglasses, you should take him or her for an eye examination once a year, or as often as the eye doctor recommends.
 

Most pediatricians perform limited examinations of the eyes right after birth. These examinations can detect a wide range of visual abnormalities. These include problems in the ocular alignment and external aspects of the eye, as well as an anomaly in the light reflex from the eye’s pupil. Pediatric eye exams are more important for:

• Kids who have a parent or sibling with a serious eye problem, such as lazy eye, turned eyes, or crossed eyes.

• Kids suspected by their parents of having an eye problem.

• Kids with an eye issue detected by their pediatrician.
  
  
  
   

Undiagnosed vision abnormalities and conditions can lead to loss of vision. If caught early, however, such conditions are reversible. To learn more about pediatric eye examinations, call In-Focus Vision Center on (732)313-2570. We aim to provide the best in optometry services. For more information, feel free to visit our offices in Piscataway, New Jersey.