When you think of eye exams, do you summon of vision of eye and vision tests performed on working-age adults and senior citizens? It's all too easy to associate this form of eye care with prevention and diagnosis of eye diseases and disorder that occur later in life. but little eyes can have problems, too, and if those problems and not identified and addressed early in life, they can contribute to all kinds of other issues, from academic struggles to imperfect visual development. Let's explore the reasons for scheduling pediatric eye exams for your Mt. Pleasant kids, and when those exams ought to take place.

Preventing Eye Problems

Eye diseases and disorders can actually be present from birth. Congenital cataracts, strabismus (eye misalignment), pediatric glaucoma, ptosis (drooping of the eyelid), and other problems can interfere with eyesight. In addition to the obvious and immediate visual obstacles they cause, they also prevent the eyes and brain from learning how to work together properly to create clear, consistent vision. One common outcome may be amblyopia, a condition in which the brain relies on one eye's visual input over that of the other, robbing the child of normal depth perception.

When kids can't perceive the world clearly, they may have trouble finding their balance, learning coordination, judging safety risks, or reading and writing in school. Some kids could even be incorrectly categorized as having learning disorders, altering the course of their education. Your kids may not even realize that they have a vision problem if they have never known any other way of seeing the world -- which means that they may not say a word to you about it. The only way you can rest assured that your child eyesight and visual development is on track is by scheduling pediatric eye exams.

Your Child's Eye Exam Schedule

When, and how often, should you have your child's eyes checked? The recommended pre-school and school-age schedules differ from each other. The American Optometric Association recommends three major exams for small children at 6 months, 3 years, and 5 to 6 years of age. The first exam checks for eye diseases or other obvious impediments, as well as basic eye and vision function. The second exam goes into more detail regarding eye function and visual acuity, benefiting from the fact that 3-year-olds can talk about what they see. The third exam prepares the child for school by detecting any refractive errors that must be compensated for with eyeglasses. Once your child is in school, exams every other year can monitor healthy eyes; annual exams are recommended if eye or vision problems are present.

Let Us Help Your Kids See Better for Life

If you want to make certain that your children's eyes are ready to view the world as accurately as possible, bring those little ones to H. Arnold Papernick OD. Call 724-547-5711 to schedule pediatric eye exams!