According to the American Optometric Association, your baby should have an eye exam before their first birthday. Pediatric eye exams are a crucial component of your child’s health and wellness, and the skilled eye care experts at Goetzinger Eye Institute in Riverdale, Georgia, are here to make the process a positive one for both you and your child. Use the online scheduler or call the location nearest you to arrange your child’s appointment now.
Pediatric Eye Exams Q & A
When should my child have pediatric eye exams?
Your child should have their first pediatric eye exam between 6-12 months old. After that, the American Optometric Association recommends exams at the following times.
- One time between the ages of 3 and 5
- Prior to beginning grade school
- Yearly while in school until age 18
After age 18, the rules for adult eye exams generally apply. Adults typically need yearly exams if they’re at-risk or exams every two years with excellent eye health.
What happens in a pediatric eye exam?
Your child's Goetzinger Eye Institute eye doctor evaluates:
- Refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism)
- Eye movement
- Eye coordination
- Eye health
If your child has refractive errors, they're at risk for more complex issues including amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (eye misalignment). By identifying and correcting eye issues early in life, your eye doctor can help your child enjoy ideal vision development as they grow.
Is vision screening at school the same as a pediatric eye exam?
No, it's quite different. Although school vision screenings are meant to identify vision issues, the American Optometric Association says these types of screenings can miss more problems than they actually identify.
Vision screenings typically check one main thing: distance vision. If your child can read a vision chart at a distance reliably, they'll likely pass a vision screening with flying colors.
Many kids, however, have trouble with eye focus, eye coordination, eye tracking, or close-up vision, all things that most vision screenings won't look for. There are also many eye health problems that could slip through a vision screening completely undetected.
Vision screenings at school, or any type of group vision screenings, may also be done with outdated equipment and untrained personnel. Passing a school vision screening is no guarantee of good vision or healthy eyes.
A highly trained eye doctor performs your child’s pediatric eye exams at Goetzinger Eye Institute. The team has many years of experience in detecting and correcting all types of pediatric eye issues.
For pediatric eye exams with an experienced eye doctor, use the online scheduler or call the Goetzinger Eye Institute location closest to you now.