As parents, we do our best to keep track of our child’s milestones, from their first steps to their first day of school. But one important milestone that often gets overlooked is their eye health. Many parents don’t realize just how early and how often their child’s vision should be checked.
Did You Know?
👶 First Eye Exam Between 6 Months and 1 Year Old
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that children have their first comprehensive eye exam between 6 months and 1 year old. During this critical stage, a pediatric ophthalmologist can detect early signs of issues like nearsightedness, astigmatism, or strabismus, ensuring healthy visual development.
👧 Second Eye Exam Between Ages 3 and 5
The AOA advises scheduling a second exam between ages 3 and 5 to monitor their vision as they grow. This is an ideal time to catch problems like lazy eye (amblyopia) or crossed eyes (strabismus), which can often be corrected with early intervention.
🎒 Annual Exams for School-Age Children
Before starting kindergarten, children should have a comprehensive eye exam to ensure they’re ready for school. Once your child is in school, annual exams are essential to maintain good vision and ensure they’re not struggling with undetected vision issues like difficulty focusing, eye strain, or trouble seeing the board—all of which can impact their learning and confidence.
Why Are Eye Exams So Important?
Kids don’t always know how to explain vision problems. Many assume blurry or double vision is normal because they’ve never seen the world any differently. Routine eye exams help detect and address these problems early, setting your child up for success in school and beyond.
Meet Our Experts! 👩⚕️👨⚕️
For your child’s first eye exam (6 months old), we recommend visiting our expert Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Dr. Brita Rook. Dr. Rook specializes in diagnosing and treating issues like nearsightedness, astigmatism, strabismus, and more in infants and toddlers.
After their first exam, routine eye care can be managed by one of our trusted optometrists, Dr. Shelby Brodgon or Dr. Paige Harvey, who provide excellent care for children as they grow.
How to Get Started
It’s never too early—or too late—to prioritize your child’s eye health. Schedule an appointment today and make sure your little one has the clear vision they need for a lifetime of learning and discovery.
👁️ Healthy Eyes, Happy Kids!
Making eye exams part of your child’s healthcare routine is one of the best gifts you can give them. So, when was your child’s last eye exam? If you can’t remember, now’s the perfect time to book one!
✨ Don’t forget to share this with other parents to spread the word about early eye health!
