20/20 iCare Longview Guides Young Eyes: Pediatric Eye Exams
Vision plays a vital role in your child's development, affecting their learning, social interactions, and daily activities. Our children's eye exams monitor and maintain their eye health, ensuring they have the necessary visual abilities to succeed in all areas of their lives.
Why Your Child Needs Routine Vision Checks
From 6 months, children must have healthy eyes and clear vision to explore the world, acquire new skills, and reach important developmental milestones.
Conducting pediatric eye examinations is essential to identify vision problems or eye disorders that could hinder a child's ability to learn, play, and interact with others.
Furthermore, because children's eyes undergo rapid changes as they grow, it is important to promptly detect and address any issues to prevent long-term vision impairments that could significantly impact their academic performance and overall well-being.
Is an Eye Exam the Same As a Vision Screening?
Vision screenings, often conducted at schools or during pediatrician visits, are simple tests that aim to identify visual impairments in children, such as problems with distance vision. However, these screenings provide only a basic evaluation. In contrast, pediatric eye exams go into greater detail, assessing visual clarity, overall eye health, the presence of diseases, and the functioning of visual skills, including eye coordination.
When to Schedule an Eye Exam
The initial eye exam should occur at six months, followed by exams at three and just before starting school. Eye care professionals recommend that children of school age check their vision annually.
However, if you notice any signs of eye problems, such as squinting, sitting too close to the television, or complaints of headaches, it is advisable to schedule an exam regardless of when the last visit occurred.
Our Pediatric Vision Services
Our pediatric eye exams are comfortable and engaging for every child, considering their age and development. We use advanced equipment and child-friendly techniques to evaluate several important aspects:
- Visual Acuity: To assess how clearly each eye sees
- Eye Tracking and Coordination: To ensure eyes work together effectively, which is crucial for reading and sports
- Eye Health: The eye’s internal and external health
- Prescription Assessment: To determine if corrections like glasses or contact lenses are needed
