Your Child's Vision

Color Vision Testing

Just as children need regular medical exams to help prevent health problems, it is a good idea to include eye exams and vision care to that regimen as well. Many vision problems and eye diseases can be treated more effectively if they are detected early.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends children receive their first eye exam at the age of 6 months. The eye doctor will look at eye movement, general eye health and any nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. If no problems exist, additional eye exams should be done at age 3 and again when they enter school at age 5 or 6.

Ocular Motility Exam

Once children are in school, they should have an eye exam every two years as long as they do not require vision correction. However, if your child needs eyeglasses or contact lenses, he or she should be examined every year or as recommended by their optometrist or ophthalmologist.

A child’s eyes are continually at use in school and at play, so when eyes don’t function properly, tasks like reading, writing, using computers and participating in sports become difficult. While vision screenings are conducted at school, these are not complete eye exams. It takes about one hour for a dilated comprehensive check of your child’s eye health and vision with your optometrist or ophthalmologist.
 

Our doctors answers your questions about your babies first eye exam.