Children aren’t always able to tell us how well they are seeing. Even if your child can read the smallest letters on an eye chart, they may have hidden issues. Schools routinely offer vision screening, but it rarely checks for things like how the focusing system (accommodation) is working, quality of depth perception, or how the eyes work together and ocular health is an afterthought. The majority of school tasks require a child to see well both near and far away as well as comfortably focus between the two.
For that reason, our doctors recommend comprehensive children’s eye exams for school age children starting the summer before they enter kindergarten. The exam is a bit different than for adults but accomplishes the same things through puzzles and games, as well as ends with a visit to our treasure box.
We have a dedicated space for them in optical and the waiting area to help make your kids feel comfortable and a staff that looks forward to welcoming them to their appointment. Many children see well, but if they do need glasses, our optical has many frame styles specially made for them. Our doctors also fit children as young as 8 years old with contact lenses.
What’s Involved in Children’s Eye Exams
You may be wondering “What can an eye doctor check on my child, especially if they don’t know letters yet?” Our doctors work with children all the time and they are routinely evaluating for the following things:
- Visual acuity (how well the eyes see at near and far)
- Eye tracking ability (reading movement)
- How the eyes work together as a team (eye turns)
- Ocular focusing ability (accommodative issues/fatigue from screen time)
- Color vision
- Depth perception (3-D vision)
- Inequality of the two eyes (amblyopia a.k.a. “lazy eye”)
- Ocular health issues
- Need for glasses or contact lenses
Many common problems can be addressed during our Children’s Eye Exams, but some children require additional testing or further follow ups for less common visual deficits.
For additional information on Children’s Eye Exams or if you have questions, please contact our office at (816) 524-8900 or email us at EyecareLS@EyecareLS.com and our staff will be happy to assist you.
Free InfantSEE Eye Exam
Our doctors provide evaluations of infants ages 6 to 12 months at no charge as part of a nationwide program to reduce the occurrence of preventable eye issues later if life. Our doctors have specific times set aside for these evaluations with appointment times between 9 and 3 most days (because of this, the online scheduler doesn’t work well for these appointments, please call or email for an appointment).
Children’s Glasses
We have a large selection of frames for kids and a dedicated area in optical just for them. Stop by today and our knowledgeable staff will help you find the right pair of glasses for your child. No appointment needed, you’re welcome any time!
InfantSEE Program
Detecting vision problems early in life can prevent and reduce the threat of serious vision impairment.
Eyecare Associates participates in the InfantSEE program. The American Optometric Association encourages parents to include a trip to the optometrist in the list of well-baby check-ups. Assessments at six to twelve months of age can determine healthy development of vision. Early detection of eye conditions is the best way to ensure your child has healthy vision for successful development.
Why do you suggest getting the eyes tested at 6 months?
Clinical experience and research have shown that at 6 months, the average child has reached a number of critical developmental milestones, making this an appropriate age for the first eye and vision assessment. Many visual abilities are fully functioning by the age of 6 months. Interference with development during this very critical phase may lead to serious lifelong effects on vision. Successful treatment can be obtained more quickly with early intervention.
The good news about a trip to the optometrist is that there are no shots or cold stethoscopes. While the doctor will be shining a light in the baby’s eyes, and may spray a mist on eyelids or use eye drops to dilate the baby’s pupils, many infants seem to enjoy the “games” they play as part of the professional assessment. More information about what optometrists look for during assessments is available on the InfantSEE website.
The American Optometric Association recommends that children have their first comprehensive eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age, another exam around age 3, and again before starting school. Regular eye exams throughout childhood help ensure healthy vision development and can identify problems before they affect learning or daily activities.
Most school-aged children should have a comprehensive eye exam every year. Regular exams allow your eye doctor to monitor vision changes, update prescriptions if needed, and detect eye conditions that may develop as your child grows.
Clear vision plays a critical role in learning and development. In fact, much of what children learn in school is presented visually. Comprehensive eye exams can detect vision problems, eye coordination issues, and eye diseases that may not be noticeable during routine pediatric checkups or school vision screenings.
No. School vision screenings are helpful, but they only check for certain vision problems and can miss conditions like farsightedness, astigmatism, eye teaming disorders, focusing problems, and many eye diseases. A comprehensive eye exam provides a complete evaluation of your child’s vision and eye health.
Children don’t always realize they have a vision problem. Common signs include squinting, sitting too close to the television, frequent headaches, rubbing their eyes, holding books very close, avoiding reading, losing their place while reading, or having difficulty concentrating in school. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam.
A pediatric eye exam evaluates your child’s visual acuity, eye coordination, focusing ability, depth perception, color vision, eye alignment, and overall eye health. Your optometrist may also use dilating drops to get a better view of the inside of the eye when necessary.
Yes. Many children and teenagers are successful contact lens wearers when they demonstrate good hygiene and responsibility. Your eye doctor can determine whether your child is a good candidate and recommend the safest lens options based on their age, prescription, and lifestyle.
Absolutely. Undiagnosed vision problems can make reading, writing, computer work, and classroom learning more difficult. Children may struggle academically or appear inattentive when the real issue is an uncorrected vision problem. Regular eye exams help ensure your child has the visual skills needed for success.
A comprehensive children’s eye exam can detect nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes (strabismus), focusing disorders, eye coordination problems, color vision deficiencies, and certain eye diseases. Early detection often leads to more effective treatment.
Yes. Many children assume everyone sees the way they do and may not recognize they have a vision problem. Because some eye conditions develop without obvious symptoms, routine eye exams are one of the best ways to protect your child’s vision and support healthy development.
Most pediatric eye exams take between 30 and 60 minutes. The exact length depends on your child’s age, cooperation, and whether additional testing is needed. Our team works to make the visit comfortable, engaging, and stress-free for both children and parents.
Encourage regular outdoor play, limit prolonged screen time, ensure your child wears protective eyewear during sports, provide a balanced diet rich in eye-healthy nutrients, and schedule annual comprehensive eye exams to monitor their vision as they grow.
Eye Exams
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