PEDIATRIC  EXAMS

 

 

The American Optometric Association recommends that all infants have their eyes checked between ages 6-12 months.  Even if no eye or vision problems are obvious, there may still be problems with your infant’s visual system that could affect not only their vision, but their overall development.  It is important to detect any problems early to make sure your child has the opportunity to develop essential visual skills they need to learn and grow.  During pediatric exams, our doctors will check for excessive or unequal amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism as well as eye movement disorders and eye health problems.  Other signs of visual problems parents should look for include:

 

-eye turning (indication of an excessive prescription or eye muscle control problems)

-appearance of a white or hazy colored pupil (indication of eye cancer)

-excessive tearing (indication of blocked tear ducts)

-red crusted eyelids (indication of eye infection)

 

All children should then have their eyes examined again during their toddler years and then again when they start school.  If children do have eye problems in this age group, they generally will not voice complaints.  Warning signs of vision problems that parents should look out for include:

 

-poor hand-eye-body coordination

-sitting too close to the TV or holding books or toys too close

-squinting

-constant head -tilting to one side

-abnormally short attention span

-avoidance of reading, writing and drawing

-excessive eye rubbing

 

Regular vision exams should continue throughout the grade school and high school years.  Our doctors love working with kids and make every appointment a comfortable and fun experience.