Kids Eye Exams

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Eye Exam

Taking your child for their first eye exam is an important milestone in their overall health and development. Many parents are surprised to learn that children can benefit from a comprehensive eye exam as early as six months of age. Knowing what to expect can help ease any nervousness and ensure a positive experience for everyone involved.
 

A Kid-Friendly Experience with a Pediatric Eye Doctor

Pediatric optometrists specialize in working with children and are trained to make eye exams comfortable, engaging, and age appropriate. Dr. Bonds uses kidfriendly language, games, and tools to assess vision, eye alignment, depth perception, and eye health without requiring a child to read or respond like an adult would.
 

What Happens During the Exam?

During a comprehensive pediatric eye exam, the doctor will check:
 

• Visual acuity: How well your child sees at different distances.

• Eye alignment and coordination: Ensuring the eyes work well together and are not crossing or wandering.

• Refraction: Measuring for nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness, and astigmatism.

• Eye health: Examining the internal and external parts of the eye for signs of disease or structural issues.
   

Understanding Myopia (Nearsightedness)

One of the most common vision issues diagnosed during childhood is myopia, or nearsightedness. This condition causes distant objects to appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. Myopia typically develops during early school years and progresses as a child grows.

Early detection is crucial, as unchecked myopia can lead to higher prescriptions and increase the risk of future eye conditions like retinal detachment or glaucoma. Fortunately, there are modern options for managing myopia progression, including special glasses, contact lenses, and lifestyle changes such as increased time spent outdoors.
 

Why Vision Screenings Aren’t Enough

It’s common for children to undergo vision screenings at the pediatrician’s office or during school checkups. While these screenings are helpful for identifying major vision issues, they are not a substitute for detecting all vision problems. Vision screenings typically assess only visual acuity (how well a child can see letters or objects at a distance), and they may miss issues like:
 

• Eye coordination problems

• Depth perception deficiencies

• Subtle refractive errors

• Early signs of eye diseases

In fact, many children pass school screenings despite having vision problems that affect learning, behavior, and development. Only a full eye exam performed by a pediatric eye doctor can provide the detailed evaluation needed to ensure your child’s vision and eye health are on track.
 

Give Your Child the Clear Start They Deserve

Scheduling a professional eye exam with Dr. Bonds is a simple step with longlasting benefits. Whether your child is preparing to start school, struggling with reading, or simply due for a checkup, a comprehensive eye exam can reveal vital information about their overall development and well-being. Early eye care helps children succeed—in school, in play, and in life.