Most children are given a basic vision screening by their pediatrician every year, and often by the school nurse as well. This is an important part of your child’s overall health. But is it enough? Vision screenings at the pediatrician’s office only check for acuity – distance. In other words. They are checking to make sure your child can see clearly at a distance (usually 20 feet away). Your pediatrician will refer your child to an optometrist if he is unable to clearly read the eye chart, and will probably need glasses.
But there is much more to children’s eye health besides their ability to read an eye chart. Your optometrist will examine inside your child’s eyes for early signs of eye disease or infection. A comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist will check:
- Binocular vision: how the eyes work together as a team
- Focusing
- Peripheral Vision
- Color Vision
- Hand-eye Coordination
- Tracking
Additionally, your eye doctor will check for:
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
- Pediatric Cataracts
- Double Vision
- Pediatric Glaucoma
- Myopia (Nearsightedness)
- Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
- Strabismus ( Misaligned eyes)
Please mention eye-related symptoms, because we also treat a host of other eye-related conditions. For example, his or her red, swollen, itchy eyes may also be a significant sign of allergies that can come whether they are accompanied by sneezing uncontrollably or not.
Proper vision is a crucial part of your child’s development and education. The best way to make sure your child has healthy eyesight is with an annual eye exam at the optometrist’s office.
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