Importance of Pediatric Eye Exams

Parents should determine early whether their children may be suffering from vision problems. Therefore, it is important to take your child for a pediatric eye exam as early as possible. According to some studies, up to 25 percent of school-aged kids and 10 percent of preschoolers have some sort of vision problem. It is important to detect the first signs and symptoms of vision problems, some of which can lead to vision loss if left unaddressed.
 

Importance of Pediatric Eye Care

Whether or not your child is showing signs of vision problems, he or she needs to have regular eye exams. Young children may seem to lack visual problems. However, with age, some issues can start cropping up. You should consult a trustworthy and experienced pediatric eye doctor in your area for your best options.
 

Infants should have a comprehensive eye examination, according to the American Optometric Association, at six months of age. They should also have additional eye exams at three years of age and just before they begin first grade. Kids who are in school need to undergo eye examinations every couple of years. Those who use contact lenses and eyeglasses should take an eye exam once a year, or as recommended by their doctor.
 

Healthy vision and eyes are very important for children and infants. Their foundation for future learning depends on the visual skills they develop early in life. If you want to help your child achieve his or her full potential, you need to take him or her for pediatric eye exams. These exams are important when it comes to the early detection of vision problems. Even if your little angel is too young to read or respond, the pediatric eye doctor can use specialized technology and procedures to get an accurate evaluation.
 

How Pediatric Eye Exams Can Help Your Child

Children can develop farsightedness and nearsightedness, and have a difficult time aligning and tracking their eye movements. You need to learn about the importance of pediatric eye exams, especially between six months and three years of age. Good vision is important for your child to develop visual awareness, proper eye movement, eye teaming, and tracking skills. Pediatric eye exams are also important when it comes to helping children develop their focusing skills.
 

For your child to achieve his or her academic potential and succeed in sports, he or she needs to have healthy eyes. Pediatric eye exams can help give your child that. An eye doctor will examine your child’s eyes carefully and recommend the most effective options to help ensure your child has a healthy vision.
 

The vision skills your child develops during infancy and post-infancy will serve him or her throughout his or her life. The pediatric eye doctor will screen for vision abnormalities and conduct a comprehensive eye exam. If you notice any of the following in your little one, you should take him or her for an eye exam as soon as possible:
 

• Difficulty turning eyes.
   

• Redness of the eyelids or eyes.
   

• Poor focus.
   

• Droopy or crusty eyelids.
   

• Strange head turns and tilts.
   

• Excessive tears.
   

• White pupils.
   

• Eye discharge.
   

• Sores on the eyelids.
   

At St. Marys Family Eye Care, we aim to improve the way our patients see. We provide comprehensive eye exams, treatment for eye injuries, pediatric vision care, and glaucoma screenings and care. You can visit us in our offices in St. Marys, Ohio, or schedule an appointment by calling 419-800-0400 today.