Pediatric Eye Exams

As a parent, keeping your children healthy is a top priority. But many parents might not realize one important aspect of maintaining their little ones' health is regular eye exams. At The Center for Eye Care and Optical in West Islip, we believe that pediatric eye examinations are essential in ensuring your child's overall well-being. Here are just some of the reasons why pediatric eye exams are so important. 

Why Are Children's Eye Exams So Important?

Children's eyes are undergoing rapid changes as they grow, so regular eye exams are important to ensure that your child's vision development is normal and healthy. An eye exam can detect common childhood vision problems early on, when they are easier to treat and manage. Common pediatric eye conditions include:

• Strabismus (eye turns): One or both eyes may turn in, out, up or down.
• Refractive errors: Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism can all affect a child.
• Amblyopia (lazy eye): This is the most common cause of vision loss in children.
• Eye focusing, eye teaming, and eye movement skills: Problems with these abilities can lead to fatigue, headaches, and double vision while doing close work.

When Should You Have Your Child's Eyes Examined?

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that all children have their first eye exam at 6 months of age. Then, regular eye exams should follow every two years until the age of 18. Children with risk factors such as a family history of vision problems or any signs/symptoms should see an optometrist more frequently.

If your child wears glasses, you should schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist every year. Your optometrist can check the fit of your child's frames and adjust them as needed to ensure they are providing the best vision correction.

What Happens During a Pediatric Eye Exam?

The pediatric eye doctor will evaluate your child's vision, eye health, and visual development. He or she will check their medical history, and dilation, use specialized instruments to measure vision, and check the eyes for diseases or other abnormalities. They'll test eye coordination and tracking ability, evaluate focusing skills, and assess color vision.

They'll also test for risk factors like nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. The pediatric eye doctor will discuss the results of the exam with you. They'll make treatment recommendations based on your child's needs. This might include prescribing glasses or other vision correction options, eye exercises, or other treatments.

Scheduling Your Child's Eye Exam

Pediatric eye exams are an essential part of your child's overall health and well-being. Regular eye exams can detect vision problems early on, when they are easier to treat and manage. If you have any questions or concerns about pediatric eye care, contact The Center for Eye Care and Optical in West Islip today to learn more. We look forward to helping your child achieve their best vision possible. Call our team today at (631) 422-1110 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.