What Should You Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam?

Your child’s vision plays a vital role in his or her performance in school and overall development. With regular eye exams, you can keep track of your kid’s vision and eye health. During a general health assessment, children’s eyes should be checked to see if they need vision therapy or correction. 

Continue reading to discover things you should expect during a pediatric eye exam. 

Children One Year and Younger

Your eye doctors will check your child’s eyes for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. They may also assess your child’s eye for amblyopia, a condition where one eye is weaker than the other. It occurs when the brain area for one eye is not fully developed. When detected early and handled with vision therapy, amblyopia is reversible. The eye specialist will inspect how your child’s eyes move as well as check their alignment and how they adjust to lighting changes. 

Children Ages Three to Five

For children ages three to five, eye doctors usually perform screenings using pictures, letters or eye chart tests. Your eye doctor may also use the “tumbling E game,” an activity that measures how well a child can see the detail and form of objects. If your child cannot read yet, your eye doctors may do the Random E’s Visual Acuity Test. They will ask your child to identify the direction that the “E” opens to by holding out three fingers that resemble the letter. 

Teenagers

Children’s visual demands change as they grow older and perform activities, such as computer work and sports. Your eye doctor can detect vision problems through a subjective vision test. It will also determine if your child needs to wear prescription glasses. Also, expect the eye exam to include color vision test, eye alignment test, depth perception test and general eye health assessment. 

Whether you need scleral lenses or help with myopia management, Insight Vision Center Optometry is here to help. Call us at (714) 486-3315, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We assist patients in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, CA.