Eye examinations are an important part of childhood wellness care, providing the foundation for a lifetime of healthy vision. Here at VAL-Uvision, we believe all children should see an eye care provider on a routine basis to identify potential complications and prevent eye health and vision problems in the future. That is why we offer comprehensive eye exams for children and adolescents in Jacksonville, FL and the surrounding areas.
Children of all ages can benefit from regular eye exams beginning as young as infancy. Vision problems can cause a delay of motor skills development and also contribute to learning problems in older, school-aged children. In fact, the American Optometric Association (AOA) estimates that vision problems contribute to learning complications in 3 in 5 children who have been diagnosed with ADD/ ADHD.
The AOA recommends that a child have his or her first comprehensive eye exam at no later than six months old. Additional preventive exams should be administered at age three, age five and every two years thereafter in children with healthy eyes and normal sight. Children with eye health complications or vision problems should be examined more frequently.
While many children are screened for vision problems during pediatric wellness exams, these types of screenings offer only a glimpse into a patient’s vision and eye health. On the other hand, an optometrist can test a child’s eye teaming skills, distance vision, near vision, peripheral vision, eye-hand coordination and ability to focus. A comprehensive exam will also reveal any medical eye issues or problems with eye muscle strength.
Eye Exams for Children
Approximately 10 percent of preschoolers and 25 percent of school-aged children have some type of vision problem. Many problems can be corrected with early intervention, making regular eye examinations essential for protecting long-term vision health. If your child has never been to an optometrist or is due for another visit, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule an examination. You should also schedule an appointment if your child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms:
- Squinting
- Frequent headaches
- Frequent rubbing of the eyes
- Excessive blinking
- Inability to maintain eye contact
- Poor tracking skills
- Failed pediatric vision screening
Our office is equipped with state of the art diagnostic technology designed to detect even the slightest vision discrepancies and eye health problems. Our relaxed atmosphere and friendly team will help make your child feel comfortable during his or her visit.
Unlike vision screenings, which take less than five minutes and are not administered by eye health professionals, a comprehensive eye exam is much more thorough and can take up to a half hour or more. After recording vision history, we conduct an age-appropriate exam that tests vision, eye alignment and overall eye health. We will then discuss the need for vision correction and other necessary eye health treatments.
For more information about child eye exams or to schedule your child’s appointment, contact our office today. We look forward to serving you soon.