As a parent of an infant you may wonder at what age should I take my child in for an eye exam and how often after that? Is it really that important when they are so young? Taking your child in for an eye exam is important because it allows eye care providers a chance to diagnose the onset of any vision problems early in a child’s life. Early diagnosis can lead to more effective treatments as young children are more responsive to treatments than adults.
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA) 5% to 10% of preschoolers have vision problems and 25% of all school aged children do as well. Early diagnosis can help your child not fall behind and have a happy, well-adjusted life.Additionally, early eye exams are important for children’s ability to learn. The basic skills below are directly related to a child’s ability to learn:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Ability to focus
- Near and distant vision
- Binocular (two eyes) coordination
- Eye movement skills
- Peripheral awareness
The AOA recommends that infants receive their first eye exam at 6 months of age. After this, children should receive eye exams at age 3, and around ages 5 or 6 (or just before they enter first grade). School aged children who don’t have any vision problems should get an eye exam every two years, and those with glasses or contacts annual visits are recommended.
Eye exams vary on the age of your child but typically eye exams for children focus on the following: family and case history, standard vision testing, eye health evaluation, and to determine if your child needs any vision correction, such as glasses.
If your child is ready for their first eye exam, is about to enter first grade, or is due for an eye exam feel free to give us a call to set up an appointment today.
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