Why Regular Eye Exams for Children Matter? Early detection and treatment of eye and vision problems are crucial for optimizing children’s eye health and vision and preventing future vision loss, as these conditions can worsen over time. Eye and vision disorders can lead to problems with a child’s normal development, school performance, social interactions, and self-esteem. Vision problems that arise in childhood can also lead to problems with a person’s education level, work, and social life in adulthood. (1)

Often, vision problems in children do not show early symptoms and are not immediately noticed. This does not prompt the child, parent, or caregiver to seek a comprehensive eye and vision examination. (2) A comprehensive eye and vision examination in children provides an opportunity to assess the structure, function, and health of the eyes and visual system. In a pediatric eye exam, the interaction between the doctor, child, and parent is a dynamic process. The examination begins with collecting data about the child from the parent and continues with examinations.

Depending on the child’s complaints and needs, the examination may include measurements of visual acuity, assessment of the movement and coordination of both eyeballs, assessment of color vision, biomicroscopic examination, and other similar processes. Examination techniques may vary depending on the age group. For example, for children under 2 years of age, performing the examination in the morning or after the child wakes up improves the quality of the examination. For children aged 3-5 years, methods that help the child relax can increase the effectiveness of the examination, as they can cooperate with eye and vision tests. For children over 6 years of age, almost all of the examinations that can be performed on adults can be performed by making the examination understandable for children. (1) From vision screening for infants and toddlers to addressing vision-related learning disabilities in school-aged children, we offer personalized routine eye exams to support your child’s visual health.

1. American Optometric Association. “Evidence-based clinical practice guideline: Comprehensive pediatric eye and vision examination.” Optometric Clinical Practice 2.2 (2020): 7.
2. Schmidt P, Maguire M, Dobson V, et al. Comparison of preschool vision screening tests as administered by licensed eye care professionals in the Vision In Preschoolers Study. Ophthalmology 2004; 111:637-50.