Pediatric eye exams are essential for your child’s vision and the health of their eyes. It is recommended that your child has a complete eye exam before he or she starts preschool or at the age of 3.
Why Are Pediatric Eye Exam So Important?
Pediatric eye exams are essential for optimal learning. For your child to see the board at school, she will need to see objects at a distance. If she is going to read and write, she is going to need to be able to see close-up.
For your child to see correctly, her eyes will need to move properly and work together as a team. These functions will be tested during an eye exam.
Finally, if your child does have a vision problem, and it goes undiagnosed and untreated, the more her brain will learn to accommodate the vision problem. When the problem is detected, it will be more challenging to treat.
Scheduling the Appointment
Before scheduling your child’s first eye exam, there are a few tips that you should follow. The time of day you schedule your child’s appointment is important. It is best to schedule your child’s exam after she has had a nap. If your child is tired, she won’t be very cooperative. It is best to schedule the appointment at a time of the day when she is well rested. Also, make sure that your child has a meal or a snack before the appointment. She won’t be cooperative if she is hungry.
What to Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam
Your child’s eye exam will be similar to your eye exams; however, due to her age, certain adjustments can be made.
- Visual Acuity Test: During your child’s visit, your family eye doctor will test her visual acuity. If she is having trouble sitting still, she may need to sit on your lap. If she knows her letters, she will read the standard eye chart. If not, your doctor will use the tumbling E chart.
- Pupil Test: Your pediatric eye doctor will want to check how your child’s eyes respond to the light. This is done by shining a bright light into each of her eyes.
- Eye Movement Test: To be sure that your child’s eyes move correctly and work together, the optometrist will move a toy or finger in front of her face and have her follow it with just her eyes.
- Dilated Exam: If your child is cooperative, the doctor will put drops in her eyes to dilate them. This will give the doctor a good view of her retina and optic nerve to be sure that there are no abnormalities.
Call Our Ophthalmologist Today
If your child is 3-years-old or is she is ready to start preschool, schedule an appointment with Peggy M Liao, MD. Our pediatric ophthalmologist in Honolulu will perform a complete eye exam to ensure that your child sees correctly. If our family eye doctor finds that your child needs glasses, you can order them on the day of your visit. We can help with all of your child’s eye care needs.