Pediatric Eye Exams

in Charlotte and Mooresville, NC

WHEN SHOULD CHILDREN EYE EXAMS HAPPEN?

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age. Children eye exams should continue at 3 years of age, and just before they enter kindergarten or the first grade at about age 5 or 6.

A pediatric eye examination by our Optometrists includes:

  • Evaluation of vision and ocular health
  • Eye teaming (binocularity) skills
  • Eye movement skills
  • Focusing skills
  • Evaluation for amblyopia (or “lazy eye”)
  • Evaluation for strabismus (or eye turn)

Children often have difficulty expressing visual concerns to their parents, as they assume that everyone sees the same way that they do. Because of this, parents need to stay vigilant regarding vision concerns.According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), parents should look for:

 

  • Sitting close to the TV or holding a book too close
  • Squinting
  • Tilting their head
  • Frequently rubbing their eyes
  • Short attention span for the child’s age
  • Turning of an eye in or out
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination when playing ball or bike riding
  • Avoiding coloring activities, puzzles and other detailed activities
For school-aged children, the AOA recommends an eye exam every two years if no vision correction is required. Children who need eyeglasses or contact lenses should be examined annually or according to their eye doctor’s recommendations. It’s important for parents to make sure their children’s eyes are healthy. Approximately 80 percent of all learning during a child’s first 12 years comes through vision.
Good eye health and vision is important to your child’s learning, and vision problems can affect their performance in school. Undetected or untreated vision problems can hinder a child’s ability to perform to their full potential in school. In fact, many eye diseases can impair vision or lead to vision loss, which is why it is important for people of all ages to have their eyes checked regularly.

At least 10 to 15 percent – or 8 to 12 million – children are at risk for vision impairment. Prevention of these conditions can be easy and can help your student perform his or her best at academics and sports, so schedule your child’s eye exam today! While you’re at it, schedule your own exam too!

Family Eye Care in South Charlotte, Uptown Charlotte , Mooresville NC & Charlotte South End

South Charlotte: 704.543.9000 | Uptown: 704.334.4444 | Mooresville: 704.817.4600 | Charlotte South End: 704.585.8595

Schedule An Appointment Today!