Children’s Eye Care & Eye Exams

At Pearle Vision, we understand that healthy eyes play a crucial role in your child's overall development. That's why we emphasize the importance of scheduling an annual eye exam with our knowledgeable and friendly eye care professionals. By doing so, we can detect and treat any potential vision problems early on, giving your child the best chance at optimal eye health.

Whether your child is experiencing an eye problem, struggling with reading, or requires medical treatment for an eye-related illness, we are here to help.

Schedule a kid’s eye exam today.

When Should My Child Have Their Vision Checked?

We understand that ensuring your child's eye health is a top priority for you as a parent. To help you stay on track with their vision care, here's a general timeline for your child's vision check-ups:

• First eye exam around six months: Babies typically have their first eye exam around six months. This early examination is crucial for detecting any potential issues and ensuring that your child's vision is developing as it should.
• A check-up at age three: As your child grows, it's important to continue monitoring their vision. A comprehensive eye exam around age three helps identify any visual abnormalities or conditions that may require early intervention.
• An exam before starting first grade: Before your child begins their exciting journey into the world of elementary school, it's essential to schedule an eye exam. Your child’s eye doctor will assess their visual acuity and identify any vision problems that could affect their learning and overall development.
• Annual kids eye exams once your child enters school: Once your child starts school, we recommend annual eye exams to ensure their vision remains healthy and optimal.

Common Eye Problems in Children

We understand the importance of prioritizing your children's eye care, as their vision can change rapidly during their developmental years. Several factors, including improper blood sugar levels, eye injuries, normal physical growth, or illnesses, can contribute to changes in your child's vision.

Here are some of the most common eyesight problems that children may experience:

• Nearsightedness (myopia): Nearsightedness occurs when your child can see objects clearly up close but has difficulty seeing things in the distance. This condition is becoming increasingly prevalent among children and may start to show as early as preschool or as late as age 14.
• Farsightedness: Farsightedness causes difficulty in seeing objects up close while distant objects may appear clearer. In some cases, farsightedness may improve as your child grows. This condition can manifest in early childhood and continue into adolescence.
• Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a common condition where the cornea or lens of the eye has an irregular shape, leading to blurred or distorted vision at any distance. Corrective measures for astigmatism may include glasses, contact lenses, or, in certain cases, refractive surgery. Astigmatism can affect children at any age, but it is often detected during routine eye exams for kids.
• Amblyopia: Amblyopia, commonly known as "lazy eye," is a vision disorder that typically manifests in infancy or early childhood. It occurs when one eye has significantly better visual acuity than the other, leading the brain to favor the stronger eye and ignore signals from the weaker one. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in treating amblyopia, as timely treatment can help restore normal vision and prevent long-term visual impairments.

Signs You Should Bring Your Child in for an Eye Exam

As a parent, it's important to be aware of signs that may indicate potential vision problems in your child. While some issues can be corrected with kid’s eyeglasses, others can be symptoms of underlying problems. If you notice any of the following, it’s recommended to schedule a kid’s eye exam as soon as possible:

• Constant rubbing of the eyes: If your child frequently rubs their eyes, it could be a sign of eye strain, fatigue, or discomfort caused by an underlying vision issue.
• Frequent headaches: Headaches, especially after visual tasks like reading or screen time, may be a sign that your child is experiencing eye strain or struggling with their vision. .
• Squinting: If your child squints their eyes to try and see clearly, it may indicate that they are having difficulty focusing or seeing objects properly. .
• Holding objects or books unusually close or far away: If your child consistently holds objects too close to their face or sits too far away from the TV or classroom board, it could be an indication of nearsightedness or farsightedness. .
• Excessive blinking: Excessive blinking can be a sign of eye fatigue or an attempt to clear blurred or distorted vision. .
• Favoring one eye: If your child consistently covers one eye or tilts their head to one side while focusing, it may suggest a vision problem or a potential misalignment of the eyes. .
• Eyes that are not aligned: Misaligned or crossed eyes, or eyes that do not work together properly, could indicate a condition such as strabismus, which requires attention from an eye care professional. .
• Red, swollen, or encrusted eyes: Persistent redness, swelling, or crustiness in the eyes may be signs of an eye infection or allergy that requires evaluation and treatment. .

Early detection and intervention are crucial in managing and addressing potential vision problems, so if your child exhibits any of these behaviors, it is strongly advised to schedule an eye exam with a kid’s eye doctor near you.

Child Eye Care Tips

There are plenty of things you can do to protect your child’s eyes and keep them healthy as they develop, such as:

• Providing Nutritious Meals: Fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish all provide key nutrients and vitamins that are linked to good eye health.
• Playing With Visually Stimulating Toys: Toys that provide visual stimulation can help improve eyesight, such as mobiles with sharply contrasting patterns that hang over a baby’s crib.
• Protecting Their Eyes From The Sun: Children are especially vulnerable to damaging UV rays because they typically spend significant time outdoors. Provide your child with UV coated sunglasses and a hat for protection.
• Scheduling Regular Pediatric Eye Exams: Your kid’s eye doctor can evaluate them to detect any early signs of an eye condition.
• Practicing everyday eye care: Encourage your child to practice good eye care habits on a daily basis. This includes maintaining a proper distance from screens, taking regular breaks during screen time, avoiding rubbing eyes excessively, and practicing eye sun safety for kids

School Vision Screenings vs. Comprehensive Eye Exams

Parents often think a standard eye exam performed at their child’s school is sufficient. However, the only way to properly detect a vision problem or eye condition is through a comprehensive kid's eye exam.

Therefore, it is important to understand the differences between school vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams to ensure your child receives the best possible eye care.

School Vision Screenings

School vision screenings are usually brief assessments conducted by school nurses or volunteers. They are designed to identify obvious vision difficulties or potential signs of visual impairment in a large number of students.

However, it’s important to note that these screenings are not comprehensive eye exams and have limitations in terms of what they can detect.

Comprehensive Eye Exams

A comprehensive eye exam is a thorough evaluation conducted by an eye care professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist, who specializes in children’s eye care. This exam goes beyond simple vision screenings and provides a comprehensive assessment of your child’s eye health, visual acuity, and overall visual development.

During a comprehensive eye exam, the eye care professional will perform various tests to evaluate your child’s vision, eye alignment, eye teaming, depth perception, and overall eye health. They will also check for common eye conditions, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, lazy eye (amblyopia), and crossed eyes (strabismus).

Detecting vision problems early through a comprehensive exam is the best way to make sure that vision problems don’t impact your child’s academic performance, daily activities, and overall quality of life.

Kids Eye Care Resources

Teaching your kids about proper eye care can help them develop good habits – and even make them excited to visit the eye doctor.

That’s why we’ve created these kid friendly resources for you and your child to explore.

Discover the secrets of maintaining healthy eyes and defeating the mischievous Professor Blur in our special video on eye health!

 

Dive into our engaging activity books filled with puzzles, word searches, hidden objects, and more, allowing your child to actively participate in the adventure of eye care.​

We Are Children’s Eye Care Specialists

Looking for a kind and trusted kids eye doctor near you? You’ve come to the right place.

When it comes to your child's eye care, trust the expertise of the dedicated team at Pearle Vision. Our eye doctors provide high-quality and personalized care for your little ones. Schedule an eye exam with us today, and rest assured that your child's vision health is in the best hands possible. Your child's bright future starts with clear vision!

Children’s Eye Care FAQs

What insurance do you accept for kid’s eye exams?

We accept all major vision insurance plans. Your individual plan will dictate whether your child’s eye exam and/or glasses are covered, and how much you need to pay out of pocket.

When should kids get eye exams?

Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam around the age of six months. After that, it is recommended to schedule regular eye exams at age three, before starting first grade, and then annually throughout their school years.

If you notice any signs or symptoms of vision problems in your child, such as squinting, eye rubbing, frequent headaches, or difficulty with schoolwork, it is important to schedule an eye exam as soon as possible, regardless of their age.

What are signs that a child needs glasses?

Several signs may indicate that a child needs glasses to improve their vision. If you observe your child frequently squinting, holding objects too close or too far away, tilting their head to one side while focusing, or experiencing frequent eye strain or headaches, it may be an indication that they require corrective eyewear.

Additionally, if you have a family history of vision problems, such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, your child may have a higher chance of needing glasses.

How do you check a child's eyesight?

Checking a child's eyesight involves a comprehensive eye exam conducted by a qualified eye care professional. The eye care professional will assess various aspects of your child's vision and eye health, including tests to measure visual acuity, eye teaming and tracking, depth perception, and conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

It’s important to note that a child's cooperation and comfort during the exam are key, and the eye care professional will take measures to create a child-friendly and reassuring environment.