Taking care of your child’s eyesight from a young age is crucial in protecting their vision and preventing issues. At Progressive Family Eye Care in Plymouth, MI, we provide comprehensive pediatric eye exams to ensure your child’s vision is healthy and clear. We understand that many children may feel nervous or anxious about getting their eyes checked, so we take extra care to create a warm and welcoming environment to put them at ease.  

When does your child need to visit the eye doctor?  

Children should have their first eye exam at around 6 months of age, followed by regular exams at age 3 and again before starting kindergarten, around age 5 or 6. If no issues are found, your child should have an eye exam yearly once they reach school age. However, if they have an eye condition or wear glasses or contacts, they may need to see an eye doctor more frequently.  

The tests we perform during a pediatric eye exam will vary based on your child’s age and risk factors. In general, an exam will include a case history, vision testing, determining whether your child needs eyeglasses, testing eye alignment, evaluating your child’s eye health, and prescribing eyeglasses if necessary.    

If we identify any vision problems or eye issues during the exam, we’ll discuss treatment options with you and create a personalized plan to address them. Our goal is to ensure that your child’s vision is the best it can be, so they can thrive in school, sports, and all aspects of their daily life. 

Why are eye exams important for children?    

Children should have regular eye exams since many vision problems and eye diseases can be detected and treated early. Vision is essential to learning. Eighty percent of all learning is visual, which means children with vision problems have a huge disadvantage. Pediatric eye exams ensure children have the following visual skills necessary for effective reading and writing:    

• Excellent vision for near, up-close work and distance.    
• Comfortable and correct “eye teaming,” which means the eyes work well together and can focus on the same place in space.    
• The ability to adjust focus to see clearly at different distances.  
• Accurate eye movement skills, such as the ability to read a line of text.    

What are the signs of vision problems in children?    

Detecting vision problems in children can be challenging since they may not realize they have an issue and assume that everyone sees the same way they do. However, a comprehensive eye exam with a qualified optometrist can identify many vision problems and eye issues.  

Early detection of eye and vision problems is vital since certain conditions are much easier to treat when caught early while the eyes are still developing. If left untreated, these problems can lead to developmental delays and learning issues and can affect a child’s vision permanently. Regular pediatric eye exams can help ensure early detection and treatment to prevent long-term damage. 

Some signs of vision problems in children include:     

• Frequent blinking, squinting, or irregular eye movements    
• Frequently turning or tilting their head  
• Covering or closing one eye to see better  
• Poor hand-eye coordination or motor skills  
• Rubbing their eyes frequently  
• Frequent headaches   
• Leaning in too close to see something or read  
• Learning difficulties and poor handwriting     

If you notice any of these behaviors, your child may have a vision or eye health problem. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your child may not show any symptoms and still have an eye issue. That’s why regular eye exams are so important because they can help catch any potential problems early before they become more serious. 

We’re here to help ensure your child’s eyes are healthy and seeing clearly. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’ll work together to provide the best possible care for your little one.