Pediatric Eye Care

When Should Your Child See an Optometrist?

As children grow up, they experience incredibly rapid changes to their bodies and vision. It’s essential to visit an optometrist as early as possible, though the recommended age is 6 months to 1 year old.

You might consider booking an appointment with an optometrist at Bronx Eye Associates sooner if you’ve noticed that your child has a lazy eye, crossed eyes or if there’s a family history of eye disease.

Scheduling an appointment with an optometrist as early as possible is integral to the efficiency of the treatment that might be needed. The younger the child, the more receptive they will be to it.

After your child turns 5 years old, you can schedule an eye exam once a year.

What are Signs of Early Vision Issues?

There are many signs of early vision issues that you should stay aware of, but keep in mind that some developing mannerisms might seem like vision issues even though they aren’t. An optometrist at Bronx Eye Associates can help you determine whether you need to come in for a pediatric consultation.

The most common signs of early vision issues include:

• Short attention span
• Covering one eye to see
• Turning or tilting the head to their side
• Holding objects close while reading
• Reading difficulty
• Difficulty remembering what was just read

What Should You Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam?

Pediatric eye exams aren’t so different from comprehensive eye exams for adults. During a pediatric eye exam, your optometrist will screen your child’s eyes to make sure there are no complications related to:

• Near vision
• Distance vision
• Eye coordination
• Eye movement
• Peripheral vision
• Hand/eye coordination
• Focusing skills

Because children between 6 months and 1 year old don't yet know how to read, this is where the pediatric eye exam differs from that of adults.

To gauge children’s vision, a team member at Bronx Eye Associates uses LEA Grating Test paddles. During this test, the infant is asked to detect parallel black and white lines of decreasing width.

After the age of 2, your children will be presented with images to assess their vision. It isn’t until they reach 4 or 5 years old that your optometrist uses the typical Snellen eye chart to test your child’s reading ability.

Contact the team at Bronx Eye Associates today by phone or online to establish care for your child.

For more information on Pediatric Eye Care, please see our Blog Article.