Children Eye Exams
Early Eye Care for Children
Ensuring optimal eye health and vision is crucial for children's overall development and academic success. At Upper Grand Eye Care, we provide comprehensive eye care services tailored to children of all ages, from infancy to adolescence.
Importance of Early Eye Exams
6 Months of Age: Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam around 6 months of age to detect any early signs of eye conditions or vision problems.
Age 3: Subsequent eye exams should occur at age 3 to monitor vision development and address any emerging issues.
Age 5-6: Another essential exam should take place just before starting school, around age 5 or 6, to ensure readiness for academic challenges.
Age 6-19: Annual exams are recommended after that for all healthy kids.
If there are any signs that there may be a vision problem or if the child has certain risk factors (such as developmental delays, premature birth, crossed or lazy eyes, family history or previous injuries) more frequent exams are recommended.
Eye Exams at Different Developmental Stages
0-2 Years
Infants learn to focus and coordinate eye movements.
Brain development involves processing visual information.
Developing eyesight is crucial for motor skills like crawling and eye-hand coordination.
Eye doctors check for proper vision development and conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes) or astigmatism.
Parents are encouraged to monitor milestones and schedule comprehensive infant eye exams at 6 months.
2-5 Years
Toddlers and preschoolers undergo significant growth in intellectual and motor abilities.
They develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and perceptual abilities.
These skills are essential for activities like reading, writing, sports, and creative tasks.
Parents should watch for signs of lazy eye or crossed eyes and schedule exams accordingly.
Regular eye exams help ensure that children are prepared for learning activities and social interactions.
6-19 Years
Good vision and eye coordination are crucial for learning, motor skills, reading, and overall skill development.
Children experiencing difficulties with focusing, reading, eye teaming, or eye-hand coordination may encounter frustration and behavioral obstacles.
They might not be aware that their vision is abnormal.
Undetected vision issues can affect academic, social, and athletic performance.
Regular exams are advised to maintain optimal vision and eye health during these critical stages.
Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Early detection and treatment of vision problems are essential for preventing long-term issues.
Eye exams assess various visual skills required for learning and mobility, including focusing, tracking, and peripheral vision.
OHIP covers annual eye exams for children under 20, promoting accessibility to essential eye care services.
Parents should prioritize their child's eye health by scheduling regular exams and promptly addressing any concerns or symptoms.
Don't forget to bring your child's health card. OHIP covers annual and all partial exams.
Possible Symptoms
Complaining about frequent headaches
Rubbing eyes frequently
Underachieving in school
Holding objects, such as books, close to face
Short attention span
Frequent blinking
Avoiding reading
Tilting the head to one side
Double vision
Poor reading comprehension
Clumsy
Eye Exam Tests
Vision at distance
Vision at near
Binocular vision: how the eyes work together as a team
Focusing abilities
Convergence abilities
Peripheral Vision
Color Vision
Depth Perception
Hand-eye Coordination
Tracking
Ocular Health and Development
Complimentary Glasses for Junior & Senior Kindergarten Students
Upper Grand Eye Care is partnered with Eye See… Eye Learn; a program which provides a complimentary pair of glasses if needed. Contact us for details about the Eye See… Eye Learn program.
