Pediatric Eye Exam in Gonzales
Just like adults, children can also experience many eye health issues and vision problems. To detect these issues early in a child’s life, a children’s eye exam is essential. Getting proper care will help prevent problems from advancing as the child gets older.
At our eye care center, we offer pediatric eye exams in Gonzales for children starting at age 4 through grade 12.
When Should Your Child See a Pediatric Optometrist?
Children—and especially young children—are not always able to communicate about problems with their sight, making eye health issues challenging to detect. Problems that go undiagnosed can be progressive and have the potential to negatively impact a child’s life as they grow up. As such, it is important for your child to see an eye doctor regularly for pediatric eye exams.
Dr. Uong recommends the following schedule:
- Age 4 — First comprehensive eye exam (if your child is symptom-free and there is no eye misalignment)
- Annually after that — Yearly exams throughout the school years to monitor vision development
- Earlier than age 4 if needed — If your child’s pediatrician has detected a concern, if eye misalignment is present, or if your child is at higher risk for vision problems (at Accent Vision Care, we start seeing kids at age 4)
Preventing Myopia Progression Early On
Children with a family history of myopia (nearsightedness) are at higher risk of developing it themselves. If one parent is myopic, a child has roughly a 1-in-3 chance of developing myopia as well.¹ Early exams make it possible to catch and start myopia management before nearsightedness progresses significantly.
“Myopia (known as ‘”nearsightedness’) means your child can’t see well far away. It often progresses, especially during their growing years. As it worsens, the eye becomes longer, which can increase the risk of serious eye problems later in life. The benefit of early prevention is better vision over time, lower risk of eye disease, and more treatment options while they are younger.”
Signs Your Child Should See a Pediatric Eye Doctor
Your child could be experiencing a vision problem if you notice any of the following:
- Frequent blinking, squinting, or irregular eye movements
- Frequently turning or tilting their head
- Covering or closing one eye to see better
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Frequently touching their eyes
- Frequent headaches
- Leaning in too close to see something
- Learning difficulties
A pediatric eye exam will help determine the cause and available treatment options. Delaying care may cause your child more serious or even permanent damage, so we recommend seeking care right away.
What Is a Comprehensive Pediatric Eye Exam?
A comprehensive eye exam at Accent Vision Care is far more thorough than a school vision screening or a vision check at a pediatrician’s office. School screenings can identify possible concerns, but they are not diagnostic. They cannot identify the root cause of a problem or provide treatment. School vision screenings also miss up to 75% of children with vision problems.²
A pediatric eye exam at our office typically includes:
- Visual acuity testing — Measures how clearly your child sees up close and at a distance
- Refraction testing — Determines whether your child needs glasses or contact lenses (and the exact prescription)
- Eye alignment and binocular vision assessment — Checks that both eyes are working together properly; screens for conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (eye turn)
- Eye focusing and tracking — Evaluates how well your child’s eyes can follow a moving object and shift focus between near and distant targets
- Color vision screening — Identifies any color deficiencies
- Eye health evaluation — Examination of the internal and external structures of the eye for signs of disease or abnormalities
- Myopia risk assessment — Evaluating current prescription and rate of progression to determine whether myopia management may be appropriate
Based on the exam findings, our optometrists will make an accurate diagnosis and discuss the next steps with you.
Visit Our Trusted Pediatric Eye Doctors in Gonzales
We urge parents to be proactive about their child’s eye health and get their child’s eyes checked regularly. Early diagnosis can prevent future eye health complications and improve the child’s quality of life greatly. Schedule your child’s eye exam in Gonzales today to ensure your child is set up for success.
Pediatric Eye Exam FAQ
When should my child's eyes be examined?
Dr. Uong recommends a comprehensive eye exam for your child at the age of 4 if they are asymptomatic and there is no eye misalignment present (we provide eye exams for children in grades K-12). It is important to bring your child in for annual comprehensive eye exams to ensure their eyes and vision are developing normally.
Your child may need an eye exam at an earlier age if they have a higher risk of developing vision problems, if an eye misalignment is apparent, or if their pediatrician has detected an eye problem.
Will sitting too close to the television set hurt my child's eyes?
Sitting too close to the television usually will not cause any immediate, permanent harm to a child’s eyes, but it can create temporary eye strain and increase the likelihood that a child will become nearsighted. Our eyes are relaxed when focused at a distance. Our eye muscles are contracted when looking up close, like lifting weights. However, children can usually focus up close much better than adults.
If your child is staring at the TV screen for a long period of time, there is a tendency for them not to blink. It is important to encourage them to take breaks and focus on something in the distance.
Is my child likely to inherit my need for glasses?
Dr. Lamendola says that kids can definitely inherit their parents’ vision. For instance, a child has a 33% chance of being myopic (nearsighted) if one parent has myopia. The good news is that we offer myopia management to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children.
Why isn't a school vision screening enough?
School vision screenings are a helpful first step, but they’re not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. Screenings are quick pass/fail checks and typically test only basic distance vision. They frequently miss common conditions like farsightedness, astigmatism, amblyopia (lazy eye), and binocular vision problems. A child can pass a school screening and still have a vision problem that’s affecting their learning.
If a screening does identify a concern, the school will direct you to an eye doctor for a proper examination. We recommend proactive, comprehensive exams rather than waiting for a screening to catch something.