With so much going on in your children’s lives, it can be difficult to keep up. However, it’s important to make sure they can see the world in front of them as clearly as possible. Did you know that children should have their first eye exam around the age of six months? If the first exam shows their eyes are healthy, you won’t need to follow up with another appointment until the ages of 2 and 3 years.

Although many schools offer annual screenings, they are not complete visual exams and the results can be inaccurate. If you notice your child is having trouble with their vision, it is important to seek a comprehensive eye exam so your optometrist can identify the issue and treat it accordingly. As with most conditions, early detection can make treatment much easier than it would be if you waited to see the doctor and allowed the problem to develop into something worse.

How Do I Know if My Child is Experiencing Vision Problems?

We Encourage You to Pay Close Attention if Your Child Experiences Any of These Five Symptoms as They Can Be Related to Vision Problems for Children:

1. Rubbing of the Eyes
2. Excessive Blinking
3. Frequent Squinting
4. Regular Headaches
5. Shutting One Eye to Focus

Even if Eye Problems Do Not Run in the Family and Your Child Hasn’t Displayed Any of the Symptoms Above, He or She Should Visit the Optometrist Every Year After the Age of 3 to Ensure the Eyes Are in Good Health. We Can Address Any Questions You Have Regarding Your Child’s First Visit to the Eye Doctor Before the Appointment So He or She Will Know Exactly What to Expect. We Will Do Everything We Can to Ensure That Your Child Has a Comfortable, Enjoyable Visit to Our Office.

Can My Child Use Contacts Instead of Wearing Glasses?

There Are a Number of Reasons Why Children Might Not Be Crazy About Wearing Glasses. Whether They Participate in Contact Sports, Don’t Like the Appearance of Glasses, or Don’t Like the Way Glasses Feel, You May Find That Your Child is Interested in Alternative Options for Prescription Eyewear.

While We Typically Encourage Children Under the Age of 12 or 13 to Wear Glasses as Opposed to Contact Lenses, as There is a Great Deal of Responsibility That Comes With Wearing and Caring for Contact Lenses. However, Contact Lenses Can Be a Safe and Effective Option for Those Children With the Maturity to Take Extra Care With Contact Lens Handling, Storage, and Cleaning. If Your Child is Interested in Contact Lenses, We Will Schedule a Consultation and Lens Fitting Exam to Explain the Responsibilities and Ensure That This is the Best Option for Treatment.