Did you know that 10 percent of preschoolers and up to 25 percent of school-age children have vision disorders?

Vision disorders in children can significantly affect their learning abilities. Worse still, vision disorders in children do not have pronounced symptoms and signs. They also might go undetected in a school vision screening exercise.

A comprehensive eye exam is one of the only ways to ensure that your children’s visual acuity is good enough for school. It would be best to make appointments with your optometrist during the back-to-school season.

Why Do Children Need Eye Exams?

One of the main reasons children need eye exams is that you can head off any serious issues. Abnormalities or undiagnosed conditions can lead to severe vision issues or vision loss. But if the doctor can diagnose some issues early enough, they can reverse them and stave off the effects.

A good example is lazy eye, where one eye is weaker than the other. Lazy eye responds relatively well to treatment. The treatments for lazy eye could be eye drops, an eye patch, or eyeglasses.

Other issues require you to take preventive action to get ahead. You can:

• Visit the eye doctor before school.
• Take heed of family vision issues.
• Act when you notice something is off with your child’s vision.

What Ages Should I Take My Child for Eye Exams?

Six Months

At six months old, your child should have the first eye exam. At this age, they have already developed hand-eye coordination skills and can observe the movement of objects. Their skills for eye movement are also growing stronger. They can also tell how far objects are from where they are.

Usually, at six months of age, the eyesight of most infants improves normally. However, they might develop issues like sensitivity to light and watery eyes in some instances. If you notice these symptoms, you should take them in for an eye exam.

Three Years Old

The eyesight of your child changes as they grow. At age three, your child should be ready for another eye exam. At this age, it is essential for them to develop their visual skills. An eye doctor can advise on ways to better develop their visual abilities.

Also, at the age of three, kids are at risk of some eye problems like crossed eyes. An eye exam is essential to diagnose this and chart a way forward. Parents should also be watchful of their learning progress if any vision issues hinder them.

Six Years Old

Learning for children is dependent on their eyesight. It would be best if you took your child for an eye exam right about the time they are joining kindergarten. Your child’s visual ability will be tested quite a lot in school with activities like reading and using computers. You can work with an optometrist to develop healthy visual habits for your child.

The eye doctor can monitor the progress of your child’s vision progress. They will be able to prescribe the correct glasses should the need arise.

For more on the age your child should start getting eye exams, call Eastside Eye Physicians, PC in Michigan at our offices in Shelby Township (586) 247-2020 or St. Clair Shores (586) 774-2020.