A common question that parents ask is: What age should my child first see an eye doctor?
VitalCare Primary and Family Practice has an answer that is fairly straightforward and will help you know how to ensure your child has a foundation for great eye health.
Eye Doctor: Initial Exam
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that a child have a first comprehensive eye exam at their 6-month checkup. This exam will generally be performed by the pediatrician at their checkup. The main objective will be to see if the child is following objects and observing the environment in a normal manner for their age and development.
Next Exams
Additional eye exams are recommended at age 3 and then again before entering Kindergarten or 1st grade, which is generally between ages 5 and 6.
This is because eyesight is essential for students to be able to learn appropriately as they enter their primary school years.
There are a variety of conditions that could keep children from learning properly during their years in primary school, including:
- near vision problems
- distance vision problems
- a lack of binocular (two-eye) coordination
- a lack of eye movement and following skills
- a lack of eye focusing skills
- a lack of peripheral awareness
- a lack of hand-eye coordination
Schools have required an eye exam for all students entering school for the first time to screen out any vision problems that may exist and inhibit their learning.
What Are the Findings of These Initial Exams?
These eye exams at ages 3 and then again at 5-6 are finding that about 10-15% of school-aged children have some sort of vision issue.
Most of these issues are easily fixed by prescribing corrective eyewear that is determined by your child’s individual needs. Rarely, a child needs corrective surgery for a vision issue, which would be performed after diagnosis and other, less invasive treatment is attempted.
Tell Your Eye Doctor the Following
While most eye exams are pretty self-explanatory, be sure to tell your eye doctor about anything specific that may affect your child’s vision exam.
The following are some key factors your eye doctor may need to know to help provide your child with the best quality eye exam possible:
- a history of a premature birth
- any sort of delayed motor development
- frequent eye rubbing
- excessive blinking
- failure to maintain appropriate eye contact
- inability to maintain a gaze (fixation) while studying or looking at a specific object
- any poor eye tracking skills you observed
These can all be signs of other problems that your child may be developing with their vision. Our doctors use this information along with the results of their eye exams to determine if issues exist with your child’s vision.
Also, Remember
Regular eye exams ensure that any issues your child is having with their vision are corrected immediately before these issues impact their ability to function and learn appropriately. Routine eye exams are meant to detect problems and treat them so your child has the best chance to excel in the future.
Eye Doctor: Contact Us Today
VitalCare Family Practice knows that keeping your family healthy and happy is your first priority. It’s ours too. That’s why, if at any time you need our services or you’re looking for a primary care home for your family, contact us to schedule an appointment!
