Studies show approximately 1 in every 4 children have an undetected vision problem. To ensure your child has healthy vision, it is important that they have regular eye tests.
As 80 percent of what children learn in school is taught visually, it is of critical importance that they can see as well as possible. It is also important that they develop the correct visual skills to support learning. Most children with eye problems do not complain or verbalise their difficulty, as they are not aware their vision is different to others. Proper visual development is key to a child’s overall development, including language, curiosity, imagination, social skills, emotional development, fine motor movement, and cognition.
Here are a list of steps to help your child’s eyes and vision develop properly.
At an eye examination your child will have the following things tested:
- A thorough eye health examination of the front and back of their eyes.
- Distance vision
- Reading vision
- Binocular vision or how both eyes work together
- Eye movements
- Focusing ability
Paediatric Eye Examinations – Eye Tests for Children
When should my child have their eyes tested?
Your child’s first eye test allows us to diagnose vision problems sooner. You do not need to wait until they start school to test them and your child does not need to know the alphabet to have their eyes examined.
We recommend that children have their first eye test before the age of 6 months. This is followed by an eye test at 3 years.
You child should then have their eyes examined yearly. Some children may need their eyes examined more frequently, especially those who have developmental problems, eye teaming issues, or progressive myopia (short sightedness).
Some children are more at risk of eye problems than others.
If you child experiences or has the following then it is important to bring them in for an eye test:
- Blinking or eye rubbing
- Not keeping eye contact
- Not being able to follow moving objects
- Headaches or avoidance of close work
- Not being able to keep their eyes still when told to
- Losing place when reading
- Reversing letters or numbers
- Born premature
- Delayed motor or sensory development
- A diagnosis of autism or ADHD
- School performance not up to potential
- A lazy eye, crossed or turned eye
It is important to know of any family history of eye problems, such as wearing glasses, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (turned eye) or eye disease.
To make an appointment for your child please contact us.