According to the American Optometric Association, it’s prudent to undergo a pediatric eye exam for children as young as six months. Spotting eye problems early enough is instrumental because vision is very vital for a child’s development. Children require superb good near and distance eyesight, eye movement skills, and other visual skills for learning.
Unfortunately, many parents assume that the brief eye exam and screening for their children conducted by a pediatrician eye doctor or a family eye doctor is a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination done by an eye doctor. That is not the case because only optometrists and ophthalmologists possess the proper training and clinical equipment to perform a thorough evaluation of your child’s eyes and vision.
Eye exams and prolific eye care are pivotal in ensuring your child’s eyes are healthy and have no vision complications that can interfere with their school performance and possibly affect their safety.
Please get in touch with H. Arnold Papernick, OD, in Mt. Pleasant, PA, today. Dr. Papernick will perform a comprehensive eye exam so he can detect and diagnose any vision problems your child might have and design a specialized treatment plan to avert future complications.
When Is It the Right Time for Your Child to Have a Pediatric Eye Exam?
Eye doctors recommend the best time for your kid to undergo a pediatric eye exam is at six months of age to ascertain that their eyes are developing typically. After undertaking the initial visit, a pediatric eye doctor recommends your child receive eye exams annually.
It’s prudent for a parent or guardian to know that the earlier pediatric eye conditions are discovered, the better the treatment outcome. Other instances where your child may require a pediatric eye exam include:
- • Children possessing specific symptoms: Symptoms exhibited by a child’s vision include poor tracking or visual behavior, an eye that seems to wander, cross, or drift, or an anomalous white eye.
- • Poor performance in school: Your child’s vision is an integral, vital component in their performance in school. A child with an undiagnosed or neglected visual problem may perform poorly in school.
- • Children facing learning challenges: Reading and learning disabilities are not caused by abnormal vision. Nonetheless, an undiagnosed visual disorder can amplify a learning disability.
What to Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam
- • Performing basic eye exam: The comprehensive eye exam focuses on visual acuity (sharpness), pupil functioning, and eye muscles.
- • The dilation process involves placing special drops in the child’s eye to dilate (widen) their pupils.
- • Eye structure and refractive exam: Upon dilation of the eyes, the pediatric optometrist examines the prime structures like iris, lens, cornea, retina, and optic nerve.
- • Getting results: Your family eye doctor will discuss the results and, if necessary, tailor a specialized treatment plan, answer all your questions, and schedule any necessary follow-ups.
Let Our Optometrist in Mt. Pleasant Perform an Eye Exam on Your Child Today!
Is your child in need of a comprehensive pediatric eye exam? Contact H. Arnold Papernick, OD, in Mt. Pleasant, PA, to get a comprehensive eye exam for your child and the eye care they deserve. Call us today at (724) 547-5711 to book your child’s appointment.
