Parents do so much to support their children’s development, from getting them involved in activities to reading with them every night. But one thing that often gets overlooked is the importance of eye health and visual skills.
 
Much like the milestones required to walk and talk, children’s vision continues to develop beyond birth, right through the early part of their lives. It takes time for kids to form the visual skills necessary to function day-to-day, and, unfortunately, many factors can affect their ability to build these skills. Childhood eye issues are extremely common, with around 10% of kindergarteners and 25% of school-aged children experiencing vision problems significant enough to affect their ability to learn and communicate. Distressingly, many of these issues go undiagnosed, often because the child is unaware that their vision or visual skills could be better. Parents also don’t always realize that their children should have pediatric eye exams, which could catch and potentially treat these issues.

Visiting a Pediatric Eye Doctor

Pediatric eye doctors specialize in the eye health and vision of children. They have extensive training and experience in diagnosing and treating the eye conditions that more uniquely affect children and adolescents, such as a squint or crossed eyes. They also have a better understanding of how eye problems may affect kids and have established techniques to successfully evaluate children’s vision without causing them to become stressed and frightened.
 

Some of the visual skills that your pediatric eye doctor will check will include:
 

• How well the child’s eyes respond to light
   

• How well they can track an object with their eyes
   

• Whether their eyes work together properly
   

• Whether their eyes point in the same direction
   

• Whether they are able to tell different colors apart
   

• How clearly they can see at different distances

But that’s not all! A pediatric eye doctor will also closely consider the health of your child’s eyes. Eye diseases can cause vision problems and can also be early indicators of other health problems, such as diabetes. Your child’s eye health checks will even include using a special camera that can look into and through your child’s eyes to assess the structures at the very back.
 

When Should Pediatric Eye Exams Begin?

Children will generally have an initial eye assessment shortly after birth, which will check for any obvious abnormalities or concerns. After this initial assessment, it becomes the parents’ responsibility to take their child for regular pediatric eye exams. 
 
The American Optometric Association recommends that all children have their first comprehensive eye exam with a pediatric eye doctor at around 6 months of age, after which appointments are usually recommended every few years unless your child is identified as being at higher risk of developing vision problems. Children who could fall into this category include those who:
 

• Have a medical condition that could affect their eyes, such as Down Syndrome
   

• Take medications that are known to affect eye health or vision
   

• Have parents or siblings who have also experienced issues with the health of their eyes or their vision
   

• Have been diagnosed with having a developmental delay

If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, make an appointment with your pediatric eye doctor as soon as possible. For more information, advice, or to schedule an appointment, please call Mid-Modern Eyecare in Midland, Michigan, at (989) 486-3025.