Pediatric Eye Exams in Carthage
Ensuring your child has the visual resources they need to grow, learn, and develop normally through every stage of childhood.
Why Pediatric Eye Exams Matter
It is very important to take your children for eye exams on a regular basis. According to experts, 80% of learning is visual, which means that if your child is having difficulty seeing clearly, his or her learning can be affected. This also goes for infants who develop and learn about the world around them through their sense of sight.
To ensure that your children have the visual resources they need to grow and develop normally, their eyes and vision should be checked by an eye doctor at certain stages of their development.
Infant Eye Exams: Birth to 24 Months
A baby’s visual system develops gradually over the first few months of life. They have to learn to focus and move their eyes, and use them together as a team. The foundation for motor development such as crawling, walking and hand-eye coordination also comes with the development of eyesight.
Ensuring you schedule a comprehensive infant eye exam at 6 months allows Carthage Eye Care to check for conditions like strabismus (misalignment), farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism.
Preschool Children: Ages 2–5
The toddler and preschool age is a period of drastic growth in intellectual and motor skills. This is the age when parents should be on the lookout for signs of lazy eye (amblyopia) or crossed eyes (strabismus). The earlier these conditions are treated, the higher the success rate.
According to the AOA, children should have their eyes examined at 3 years and again at the start of school. We monitor for developmental delays that might be rooted in visual processing issues.
Signs to Watch For:
School-Aged Success: Ages 6–18
Undetected vision problems can cause children and teens to suffer academically, socially, and athletically. Proper learning, motor development, and reading are dependent on both good vision and the ability of the eyes to work together as a team.
Children with focusing or tracking issues often experience frustration and behavioral problems because they don't realize their vision isn't normal. Regular exams every 2 years—or yearly if they wear glasses—are essential.
What Happens During the Eye Exam?
- Binocular vision: How the eyes work together
- Focusing and Tracking
- Peripheral and Color Vision
- Hand-eye Coordination
- Headaches and blurred vision
- Short attention span or avoiding reading
- Losing place while reading
- Poor reading comprehension
The doctor will examine the area around and inside the eye for health conditions. We will discuss your child’s history, including birth details, family history, and any current medications or concerns. Early diagnosis is key to successful treatment.
Following the guidelines for children’s eye exams and staying alert to any signs of vision problems can help your child to reach his or her potential. Contact Carthage Eye Care today to schedule a comprehensive pediatric eye exam.