As parents, we strive to give our children the best start in life. Among other things, this includes ensuring their health and well-being. An important but often overlooked aspect of a child’s health is their vision. Establishing a routine of regular eye exams for your child is very important for their eyes overall development. But when exactly should you start? Today, Eyewear Candy Optical RX would like to share a basic guideline on when and how to introduce eye exams into your child’s healthcare routine.
Why is it Important for Kids to have Eye Exams?
It is good to understand why regular eye exams are important for children. Good vision is critical for a child’s physical, educational, and social development. Children learn primarily through visual information, and any issue that interferes with their vision can impact their learning and development. Common childhood eye conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), and refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism) can be detected and treated effectively if caught early. The earlier an eye disorder is diagnosed, the better the outcome usually is.
What Age Should a Child have an Eye Test?
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends the following schedule for children’s eye exams:
• First Eye Exam at 6 Months: It may seem early, but eye doctors can successfully examine a baby’s eyes for common newborn vision problems such as congenital cataracts, strabismus, and other developmental issues.
• Second Eye Exam at 3 Years: This examination checks for any vision development issues that might affect learning and social interaction. It’s also a good time to spot any refractive errors that might require correction.
• Third Eye Exam Before Starting School Between 5-6 Years): It is essential to ensure that children’s eyes are ready for the intensive visual demands of school. Detecting and correcting vision issues before a child starts school can help them with learning and social interaction.
• Follow-Up Eye Exams Every 2 Years: If no vision correction or ongoing treatment is required, children should continue to have their eyes examined every two years. If your child needs glasses or has other eye issues, your optometrist might recommend more frequent exams.
How Do I Know if My Child has Bad Eyesight?
While following the recommended schedule is a good practice, you should also be on the lookout for signs that your child might need an eye exam outside of this routine. Signs that your child needs their eyes checked and corrected often include.
• Frequently rubbing their eyes.
• Have a short attention span.
• Avoiding reading and other close activities.
• Child has frequent headaches.
• Child may cover one eye.
• Tilting the head or squinting.
• Sitting too close to the TV.
• Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination when playing with toys or participating in sports.
Eye Exams, Eyeglasses, Sunglasses & More in Delray Beach, FL (Just Minutes Away from Boca Raton, Highland Beach, Kings Point, Golf & Boynton Beach, Florida)
Children may not realize they have a vision problem. They might simply assume everyone sees the way they do. Regular eye exams ensure that any issues are caught and addressed early. Remember, a routine eye exam is a small investment that can have a massive impact on your child’s life, setting them up for success in their learning, social development, and overall well-being. If you feel like you need to have your children’s eyes checked, contact Eyewear Candy Optical RX today.