Pediatric Vision Care: Eye Exams for Children in Aurora, CO
As parents, you want the best for your children, including ensuring their eyes are healthy. Clear vision is essential for your child’s growth, learning, and well-being. Our compassionate and experienced team is here to provide thorough and gentle eye care tailored specifically for your little ones, helping them see the world more clearly and confidently.
Why Do Children Need Eye Exams
Children rely heavily on their vision for learning and play. Eye exams from a young age are vital because many vision issues can go undetected without a professional evaluation. Early eye exams help identify problems that could interfere with your child’s ability to see clearly, read, and perform well in school. By dealing with these issues early, we can provide the necessary treatments to correct or manage vision problems, ensuring your child has the best possible start in life.
Common Vision Problems in Children
Several vision issues can affect children, including:
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): Reduced vision in one eye caused by abnormal visual development early in life
- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Misalignment of the eyes, which can lead to double vision or difficulty in perceiving depth
- Refractive Errors: Including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, which can cause blurred vision
- Convergence Insufficiency: Difficulty keeping the eyes working together while focusing on a close object, leading to eye strain and reading difficulties
Signs of Vision Issues Parents Should Look Out For
Children may not always be able to communicate their vision problems, so parents need to be aware of the signs. Look out for:
- Squinting, covering one eye, or tilting the head to see better
- Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
- Complaints of headaches or tired eyes
- Difficulty reading or holding a book too close
- Avoiding activities that require near vision, such as reading or homework
- Excessive tearing or eye discharge
- Poor hand-eye coordination or clumsiness
The Frequency of Eye Exams for Children
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends the following eye exam schedule for children:
- A comprehensive eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age
- At least one comprehensive eye exam between 3 and 5 years of age to check for any issues that could affect school readiness
- An eye exam before starting school and annually after that to ensure optimal vision for learning and development
If your child has a family history of eye problems or health issues like diabetes, more regular eye exams may be necessary to monitor and manage their vision health.
Pediatric Eye Exams at Del Mar Family Eye Care
Our eye doctor provides thorough and gentle pediatric eye exams to make your child feel comfortable. Our exams include:
- Visual Acuity Test: To measure how well your child sees at various distances
- Eye Alignment Test: To check for strabismus or other alignment issues
- Refraction Test: To determine if your child needs prescription glasses
- Eye Health Examination: To inspect the overall health of the eyes, including checking for any signs of disease or abnormalities
- Binocular Vision Assessment: To ensure both eyes are working together properly
- Color Vision Test: To identify any color vision deficiencies
Schedule your child’s pediatric eye exam with us and take the first step in safeguarding their vision for the future. We look forward to helping your child see the world more clearly.