Seeing clearly is key to a child’s development. To help set your child up for success, it’s important they have their eyes and vision checked regularly. Though you are have likely experienced your own eye exam, you may not be sure what to expect for your child. Let’s take a look at what is being assessed:
- Visual acuity
Screening tests will determine if there are any refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism.
- Visual alignment
Your child’s doctor can also look for signs of diseases such as:
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Ptosis (drooping of the eyelid)
If you or your doctor suspects that your child may have a vision problem, you can schedule an appointment with your optometrist or ophthalmologist for a vision care exam.
Whether your child needs a visual screening or vision care exam, be sure to inform the doctor of any of the following:
- Family history of eye conditions or diseases
- Symptoms of eye problems
- Headaches
- Squinting
- Dry eyes
- Sports injuries