SET YOUR CHILD UP FOR SUCCESS WITH ANNUAL EYE EXAMS
Good vision plays a vital role in your child’s development, which is why we strive to create an environment that prioritizes your child’s vision and eye health.
To help set your child up for success, we follow the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s suggested children’s eye exam schedule. Regular eye exams allow your child’s optometrist to look for early signs of disease or other visual conditions and create tailored plans that can treat or manage your child’s condition.
NEWBORN EYE HEALTH
When your child is born, they should have their eyes examined as soon as possible to rule out any vision disorders. A red reflex test is usually sufficient to assess if your child’s eyes are healthy, but if they are at risk for developing medical problems or were born prematurely, they should undergo a comprehensive eye exam.
INFANT EYE HEALTH
To keep your child’s vision on track, you should have their eyes examined when they are between 6 months and 1 year old.
SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN EYE HEALTH
Once your child enters school, they should have their eyes examined annually. However, children’s eyes grow rapidly, so if you suspect that your child’s vision has worsened, you should book an appointment for them as soon as possible so their prescription can be updated.
PRESCHOOLER EYE HEALTH
When your child is ready to enter preschool, they should have their vision assessed again as they will be able to respond more accurately to certain tests.
Once your child learns the alphabet, they can have their vision tested using a standard letter chart. Though most children don’t require vision correction at this age, we’ll test for conditions like strabismus and amblyopia, and refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
COMMON EYE CONDITIONS IN CHILDREN
There are a few common eye conditions to watch for in your child:
FOCUS & ALIGNMENT DISORDERS
Amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” occurs when one eye has not developed as it should and isn’t able to focus on objects the same way as the other. One eye may look straight ahead while the other looks in another direction. This condition can also occur due to strabismus (misaligned eyes), where the brain “ignores” signals from the misaligned eye to avoid double vision. If you notice your child’s eyes becoming misaligned or crossing, please book an appointment as soon as possible.
Ptosis presents as a drooping eyelid that may cover the eye either partially or entirely, impairing vision.
DISEASES TO WATCH OUT FOR
Conjunctivitis is a viral or bacterial infection that is extremely contagious. It causes the eye to become red and watery and may produce discoloured discharge or “crusties.”
Styes are painful red lumps that appear near the edge of the eyelid, caused by an irritated or infected eyelash follicle.
If you notice your child appears to be experiencing eye-related discomfort, please book an appointment as soon as possible so their eyes can be examined.
