What You Need to Know About Pediatric Eye Exams

A child’s eyesight plays a pivotal role in their learning, growth and development. This is why your trusted eye doctor at Six One Six Vision Center emphasizes the importance of being proactive about your child’s visual health by having them undergo routine eye exams. Here’s what you need to know about pediatric eye exams:

Recommendation for Type of Eye Exam for Children

A comprehensive eye exam is recommended for all children three years old and older, or sooner if problems or concerns are noted. This examination involves an in-depth evaluation of your child’s eyes, including an assessment of their oculomotor skills. We will also check for refractive errors and other underlying eye conditions. If we diagnose your child with a refractive error, we may prescribe corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The screening evaluations performed at your child’s wellness exams at their doctor’s offices or performed at schools can be helpful in identifying major issues, but many children fall through the cracks or find ways to “pass” these evaluations when there may be some underlying eye health or visual issue that needs to be addressed.

Eye Exam Frequency

The American Optometric Association® recommends that infants undergo their first eye exam between 6 months to one year old and another when they turn three. After the age of five, they should have eye exams annually. Keep in mind that your pediatric optometrist may suggest a different eye exam frequency if your child is high-risk for developing certain eye conditions, especially hereditary ones. For example, if you or your partner has nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, lazy eye or strabismus, your child might inherit these traits, in which case we may advise more frequent eye checkups.

Call us today at (208) 514-1858 or complete our form to schedule an appointment for you and your family. We serve Eagle, Meridian and nearby areas in Idaho.