Pediatric eye exams are an important part of keeping your child healthy. They can help detect problems early on and ensure that your child’s vision is developing properly.  

At VisionArts Eyecare Center in Fulton, MO, we provide comprehensive eye care for the whole family, including babies and children. Our eye care professionals have the expertise and technology necessary to diagnose and treat eye health and vision problems in children of all ages.   

We find working with children very rewarding. There’s nothing better than helping a child see clearly and realize there’s a whole new world out there.  

When does your child need to visit the eye doctor?  

We recommend scheduling pediatric eye exams when your child is 6 months old, three years old, and before kindergarten. School-aged children should have an eye exam every two years if they do not need vision correction. If your child wears glasses or contact lenses, they should be seen annually or as recommended by their eye doctor.  

Our experts tailor pediatric eye exams to fit the child’s visual needs, age, and development level. While tests will vary, exams typically include: 

• A case history 
• Vision testing 
• Determining whether eyeglasses are needed 
• Testing eye alignment 
• An eye health evaluation 
• Prescribing eyeglasses if necessary 

Why are eye exams important for children?    

Pediatric eye exams are important because they can help detect vision problems and eye diseases early on. For many vision problems, treatment is most effective in the early stages. However, if left untreated, they can lead to more serious problems and affect your child’s ability to learn and participate in school activities. 

Vision is essential to learning. Eighty percent of all learning is visual, which means children with vision problems are at a huge disadvantage. At VisionArts Eyecare Center, we ensure children have the following visual skills necessary for effective reading and writing:    

• Excellent vision for near, up-close work and distance.    
• Comfortable and correct “eye teaming,” which means the eyes work well together and can focus on the same place in space.    
• The ability to adjust focus to see clearly at different distances.  
• Accurate eye movement skills, such as the ability to read a line of text.    

What are the signs of vision problems in children?    

It’s estimated that 1 in 4 children have some form of vision problem, yet many parents don’t realize their child may be having difficulty seeing. The good news is we can identify many vision problems and eye issues during a comprehensive pediatric eye exam. If left untreated, these problems can affect a child’s vision permanently and lead to developmental delays and learning issues. Regular pediatric eye exams will help ensure early detection and treatment of issues to avoid lifelong visual impairment.  

Signs your child should see a pediatric optometrist:   

• Frequent blinking, squinting, or irregular eye movements    
• Frequently turning or tilting their head  
• Covering or closing one eye to see better  
• Poor hand-eye coordination or motor skills  
• Rubbing their eyes frequently  
• Frequent headaches   
• Leaning in too close to see something or read  
• Learning difficulties and poor handwriting     

If you notice any of these signs in your child, it’s important to make an appointment with our eye doctor right away. Early detection and treatment of vision problems are essential for ensuring that your child can reach their full potential in school and in life! Contact us today to book your child’s pediatric eye exam.