Pediatric Eye Exam

A: Children should have their first eye exam around six months of age. This exam will check for eye health and vision development. After that, children should have regular eye exams at age three, and then again before starting first grade.

A: Parents should watch for signs such as frequent eye rubbing, headaches, squinting, holding books too close to the face, and complaining of blurry vision or double vision. On top of that, as your child gets older, you might start to notice that they are straining to read things on the blackboard or having difficulty following along during lectures. All of these can indicate a potential vision problem and parents should schedule an eye exam for their child.

A: Some of the most common vision problems affecting children include nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, strabismus (crossed eyes), and amblyopia (lazy eye). If left untreated, these conditions can lead to vision impairment or even blindness.

A: Yes, many vision problems in children can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or vision therapy. That's why early detection and treatment are key to preventing more serious problems down the road.

A: Yes, eye drops or other medications may be used to treat certain eye conditions in children. For example, eye drops may be used to treat infections or inflammation, or to dilate the pupils during an eye exam.

A: Parents can help prevent eye problems in their children by ensuring they eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, encouraging outdoor play to reduce screen time, and protecting their eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays with sunglasses or a hat. Routine pediatric eye exams also help detect any potential vision issues early on.

A: Vision therapy is a customized program of eye exercises and other activities designed to improve visual function and treat specific vision problems. It may be recommended for children with lazy eye, eye coordination problems, and other vision issues.

A: If your child has an eye emergency, such as a red, inflamed, or painful eye; flashes of light in the vision; sudden loss of vision; or a foreign object in the eye, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Contact your pediatric optometrist at Bogey Hills Vision Center right away and seek medical attention at the emergency room if necessary or our office is unavailable!

A: At Bogey Hills Vision Center, we offer comprehensive pediatric eye care services. Our dedicated pediatric optometrist provides routine screenings and evaluations, prescription lenses, contact lens fittings, and treatment for eye diseases or injuries. All of these services help ensure that your child's eyes are healthy and that their vision is at its best.

A: Most children can start wearing contact lenses at around the age of 12 or 13. However, it is important to have your child's eyes evaluated by a pediatric optometrist to ensure that their eyes are healthy enough for contacts. It's also important to make sure your child knows how to properly insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses.