When should I take my child for their first eye test?

When and why should your child have an eye exam?

Learning, particularly in the form of reading, requires a combination of many visual skills. A thorough eye exam helps uncover issues that a vision screening at school or the pediatrician’s can miss.

1️⃣Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age. By this age, babies should be able to focus, see color and have depth perception. Optometrists will make sure their eyes are developing normally, checking for signs of near or farsightedness, lazy eye, crossed eyes or severe cases such as cancer.

2️⃣They should then have their eyes examined at age 3, to detect common vision problems including strabismus and lazy eyes.

3️⃣ The 3rd test is recommend before they start school — at about age 5 or 6. Appropriate vision testing at an early age is vital to insure your child has the visual skills he or she needs to perform well in school. A child who is unable to see print or view a whiteboard can become easily frustrated, leading to poor academic performance. It is recommended that school-aged children should have an eye exam at least every year, even if no vision correction is required.

👩‍💼As you might imagine, a deficiency in any of these areas can have negative effects on a child’s ability to learn. A comprehensive eye exam is the best place to start, whether you suspect a problem or not! If your child ends up needing more specialised care, your optometrist may refer him/her to a vision therapist and/or learning specialist, or recommend the use of glasses or contact lenses.

If you have any concerns about your child’s vision or ocular health, we strongly recommend an appointment with a children’s optometrist.