Should My Child Have an Eye Exam?

As the new school year quickly approaches, it’s important to set young students up for success. You may have already scheduled his dentist appointment and purchased a new pair of shoes, but have you considered setting up an eye exam? Your child isn’t necessarily going to know if he has a vision impairment, which is why it’s so critical for parents to take action.

Vision Problems in Children

Research has proven that 5% to 10% of preschoolers and 25% of school-aged children have vision problems. Early detection is the key to correction, which is why eye exams play such a crucial role in a young child’s life. If eye problems aren’t corrected at a young age, they could become increasingly worse with age.

Scheduling an Eye Exam

If you’re unsure of when to take your child to his first eye exam, consult the American Optometric Association (AOA) website for reference. According to the AOA, infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months, which children should receive additional eye exams at three years of age. School-aged children, first grade through twelfth grade, should have an eye exam every two years if no vision correction is necessary.

What to Expect

On the day of the exam, the doctor will test for the following visual skills required for learning and mobility: focusing, peripheral vision, color vision, hand-eye coordination, and tracking. The doctor will examine the area around the eye and test for any diseases, health conditions, and other health issues. If your family has a history of eye disease, inform your doctor so he or she can better examine your child. 

CALL THE CATONSVILLE EYE GROUP TODAY!

Here at the Catonsville Eye Group, providing the best patient care is our #1 priority. The professionalism of our doctors coupled with our capable and caring staff, state of the art technology, and extensive frame and lens options are what have made Catonsville Eye Group the first choice for families in our community. We strive to provide the best possible professional care at fair and reasonable prices to our patients in the most courteous way possible!

If you would like to schedule an appointment, order contact lenses, or ask questions about our services at Catonsville Eye Group, please call our office at (410) 747-1221 or email us by clicking this link. We will respond to your request within 24 hours.

We’re located at the heart of the Music City at 611 Frederick Rd., Suite 101. Drop on by, or schedule an appointment today. We’re looking forward to seeing you!