Experts have different opinions on vision screening and eye exams for children. Talk to your child's eye doctor (ophthalmologist) or optometrist to see what’s right for your child. Early screening is important to catch any issues that need treatment.
What to Expect at My Child's Eye Exam
If your child is old enough to understand, explain that the doctor will ask them to look at and identify objects. These could be pictures, letters, or shapes of light on the wall. Explain that the doctor may put drops in their eyes, but it won't hurt. They might sting, but only for a few seconds. Be honest with your child and work with their eye doctor to help comfort them.
What Tests Will the Doctor Do?
For children 1-year-old or younger
The doctor will check:
- For nearsightedness: You might hear it called myopia. It means your child can clearly see things up close but has trouble seeing faraway objects, which seem blurry.
- For farsightedness: It's also called hyperopia. It means they can see OK far away, but things up close are blurry.
- For astigmatism: That's when their eye isn't shaped the way it should be (like a football), so everything looks blurry to some degree.
- For amblyopia: One eye is weaker than the other because your child's brain area for one eye didn’t fully develop. Your child may have blurred vision in one eye or double vision from their eyes being misaligned.
- How your child's eyes move
- To make sure the eyes are lined up right
- How their eyes react to changes in light and darkness
If your pediatrician or family doctor thinks your child has an eye problem, they'll refer them to a child eye specialist. Early diagnosis of childhood eye disease is important so they can get treatment if needed.
For children 3-5 years old
An eye doctor will do a physical exam of your child's eyes, along with vision screenings. They'll use eye chart tests, pictures, letters, or the "tumbling E game." This game can check how well your child sees the form and detail of objects, a measure called visual acuity.
The game, also called the Random E's Visual Acuity Test, is a good option for kids who can't read yet. The child is asked to identify the direction that the letter "E" opens to by holding out three or four fingers to mimic the letter "E." You can practice this test at home before your appointment.
If your child is a bit older, they may be asked to identify pictures such as a plane, house, duck, or hand. Correcting poor visual acuity is very important for a child's sight development.
Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is the loss of one eye's ability to see details. Amblyopia is reversible when detected early. Treatment involves patching the better-seeing eye or blurring its vision using atropine drops. Amblyopia is the most common cause of vision problems in children.
Prescription Glasses for Babies
Some signs your baby or toddler may need glasses include the following.
- Your baby's eyes cross or wander after the age of 3-4 months. (It's normal for their eyes to not be perfectly aligned at birth.)
- Your baby turns their head to look at things.
- Your baby's eyes have fluttering, rhythmic jerking, or wandering movements. These aren't present when your child is born but can develop as early as 2 months old.
- Your baby has constant eye-rubbing, droopy eyelids, a white pupil, or tearing when they aren't upset.
Eyeglass frames are now available for babies as young as a few months old. Some are made of hypoallergenic materials for babies with allergies to nickel and other metals. Some come with adjustable nose pads, elastic straps, or cable temples that wrap around the back of your baby's ears to keep the glasses in place. Choose a frame size and material that best fits your baby and their needs. If your baby is a toddler, make sure their glasses have spring hinges. They're more flexible and harder to break, as toddlers often take their glasses off a lot.
Prescription Glasses for Children
If your child needs prescription glasses, try to find ones that fit their lifestyle and leave them feeling confident. Some things to consider include:
Frame size. Keep in mind that your child's lens prescription decides how thick their lens will be. Avoid large frames if your child needs strong lenses because larger frames mean thicker lenses. Larger lenses also mean more higher-order aberrations (lens distortions) near the edge of the lenses, which may mean a higher risk of blurred or distorted peripheral vision.
Attractive design. Let your child show you what they like. Encourage them to choose frames with a modern, attractive design.
Bridge fit. Your child's nose isn't fully developed, so it can be harder to keep glasses stable. But there are smaller metal and plastic frames made with adjustable nose pads to fit small noses.
Temple style. Elastic straps or temple cables can help keep glasses on an active child's head.
Spring hinges. These are more flexible and harder to break with everyday wear. They're especially good if your child falls asleep with their glasses on.
Lens material. Make sure your child's lenses are made of polycarbonate or trivex, both high-index lenses. They're more comfortable than regular plastic lenses. They're lightweight, impact-resistant, and scratch-resistant. Make sure your child's lenses have UV protection to protect their eyes against the sun's UV rays. Avoid choosing glass lenses for your child, as they're heavy and crack or break more easily.
Child Eye Exam FAQs
Why are child eye exams important?
Regular eye exams help detect vision problems early. This helps your child get the vision correction they need in time to help avoid development or learning problems.
At what age should my child have their first eye exam?
Experts suggest a first exam at 6 months of age, followed by checkups at age 3, and again before starting school.
What happens during a child's eye exam?
Doctors check your child's vision, eye alignment, and overall eye health using charts, lights, and specialized tests.
How do I know if my child needs an eye exam?
Some signs are frequent squinting, sitting too close to screens, headaches, or difficulty reading.
How often should children get eye exams?
School-aged children should have an eye checkup every one to two years, or as their doctor recommends.
