Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley and Eye Exams – for Children

The end of May is here. In less than a month, schools will be closed, and children will be running this way and that, relishing every free moment they can squeeze of the summer season. With that in mind, this edition of the Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley blog focuses on children and testing their sense of sight.

To those of you who may be new to the world of parenthood, this edition is especially important to read. If anyone reading this knows anyone who is a new parent, forward this on.

The first topic we cover here is age. What is the “right” age when a child should get a first eye exam? Believe it or not, the ripe old age of six months is the recommendation by the American Optometric Association. Does that sound like it is too young? Not really. After all, kids are brought to the pediatrician for checkups at this age (and younger). Their eyes also deserve this kind of vigilant care. If all is well, the next time they would need an exam is when they reach three years of age. Wait then again until the age of six. From then on, schedule an exam every two years. That 20/20 vision exam for your child should not be neglected.

The above scenario works if everything is (hopefully) good with your child’s vision.

Guess what, though: routine 20/20 vision exams do not provide the final stamp of approval. Being able to see and say the letters and numbers on a big eye chart is all well and good. Take this a step further and be sure that the eye care practitioner who is performing the exam checks the eye coordination of your child. Can your child easily adapt from seeing near and then far? Have they ever complained about not being able to read something because it appeared blurry? Do they lose their place or rub their eyes when reading? Sorry for so many questions, but these all fall into the category of eye coordination.

The importance of checking eye coordination cannot be emphasized enough. As we mentioned before, have the practitioner run some further tests. The good news, when all is said and done, is that exercises in vision therapy can gradually ease eyesight problems your child may be experiencing. These vision therapy exercises consist of visits to your eye practitioner and are complemented by special activities for your child to do at home that are aimed to literally “build up” the strength of their eyes. Treatment lasts for several months, and further maintenance may be needed when finished – but your child's vision will be stronger and healthier.

We realize that some of this may be strong stuff to read, but when it comes to vision – for you and especially the younger ones in your family – don’t you want to see as strongly as possible?

Thanks for reading… and keep your sites on healthy vision.