Pediatric eye exams are essential to schedule to ensure your children have proper vision and can have clarity with what they see in the world around them. The eye exams are slightly different than how they’re performed for adults, making it necessary to know what to expect in advance. Here are a few main steps involved during your child’s next appointment with an optometrist.
Children One Years Old and Younger
For kids up to one year old, the optometrist will look for any signs of nearsightedness, astigmatism, or farsightedness. They may also perform an exam that reveals if one of the eyes is stronger than the other, which is common when the brain isn’t fully developed. The professional will look at the movement of your child’s eyes and will see how their eyes adjust to changes in the lights that they’re exposed to during the exam.
Kids Three to Five
Screenings with pictures, letters, and eye chart tests are performed for kids from three to five years of age. For children who don’t know how to read yet, the optometrist will perform the Random E’s Visual Acuity Test. Their eyes will also be tested to determine how well they can see details on various objects.
Teens
Teens are prone to needing glasses as the visual demands of their eyes change and evolve. A color vision test, depth perception test, and eye alignment test will all be performed during the appointment. The eye doctor will also look for any vision problems that are present to determine if the patient needs prescription glasses for school or while playing sports.
Understanding what to expect at a pediatric eye exam can make it easier to educate your child and ease their nerves. The exams are typically quick and straightforward to ensure it’s an easy appointment that doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort for the patient.
