Age-by-age guide to children’s vision
Eye problems in children are often hard to detect. That’s why comprehensive eye exams can begin as early as 6 months of age.
Parents may learn a lot by observing and talking to their children, but one thing that may be hard to figure out is how well a kid may see.
Vision problems in young children may be common — but often, those children are unable to identify the issue or express it to their parents.
“Kids don’t know what their vision should look like; it’s something that’s learned through experience,” says Nicholas Onken, O.D. He’s an assistant professor in the school of optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “In addition, kids may also be too little to communicate any problems.
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA):1
- 1 in 5 preschoolers has vision problems
- 1 in 4 school-aged kids needs vision correction
These issues can often go undiagnosed, which can be bad for children.1,2 Vision problems may cause headaches or fatigue.2 They may even lead to learning and behavioral problems.3 Children may think they’re unable to keep up with their peers, when in reality they could just have a correctable vision issue.
That makes eye exams a critical tool for healthy childhood development. Truth is, children may need to visit the eye doctor earlier than most parents realize.
“It’s important to catch issues early,” Dr. Onken says. “This allows the child’s vision to develop normally and allows them to overcome any obstacles that pop up.”
In fact, the best time for the first visit may be before the child is even walking.
When to schedule eye exams for children
So, when might it be a good time to schedule eye exams for your kids? The AOA recommends the following schedule:
- First eye exam: Between 6 and 12 months of age. This may provide a good baseline picture of how a child’s eyes are developing.4
- Second eye exam: Between ages 3 and 5. This may often be when crossed or lazy eyes start to appear, and vision problems may contribute to delays in development.5
- Third eye exam: Before first grade.5 This may be important for school success, sports participation and social connection.2 The AOA recommends exams take place annually from this point forward.2
It’s important to keep in mind that these are “comprehensive eye exams.” They are different than the regular vision screenings a child may receive at the pediatrician’s office or in school.
“Vision screenings are important, and they absolutely have a place,” says Dr. Onken. “But while vision screenings look for some of the most glaring eye problems, they don’t catch them all.”1,2
What parents may expect during kids’ comprehensive eye exams
As Dr. Onken explains, during a comprehensive eye exam, the eye doctor will assess:
- How well the child’s eyes focus
- How well their eyes work together
- How well their eyes track
- Visual acuity, or the ability to see clearly
- The health of the outside and inside of the eye
In addition, the eye doctor may ask to dilate the child’s eyes. If so, medicated eye drops are used to widen the pupil.6 Dilation allows the eye doctor to see inside the eye to check for problems, and it can also help them assess the need for eyeglasses. (Looking for eyeglasses for a child? Access their vision benefits today.)
After dilation, the child’s vision may be blurry. Their eyesight will return to normal, but the effects may last a few hours.6
After the exam, the eye doctor may provide advice on eye health. It may include tips on preserving vision and supporting healthy development.
When to schedule a visit
The schedule above helps detect problems even if the child is not showing signs of trouble, however, parents may schedule appointments at any time.
Dr. Onken recommends booking time with an eye doctor if a child shows any of the following:
- Closing 1 eye or covering it with their hand
- Delayed reading development
- Frequent squinting
- Inattention in the classroom
- Looking out of the corner of their eye
- Reluctance to perform up-close activities
In addition, the AOA suggests looking for eye issues in infants. Parents will want to book an eye appointment if they notice:4
- Appearance of a white pupil
- Constant eye turning
- Excessive tearing
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Red or crusted eyelids
While routine visits may help detect problems early, they also may have the advantage of normalizing eye care. Even if there may be no problems today, that routine may pay off later in life.
“Bring kids in sooner rather than later,” says Dr. Onken. “Doing so helps them become familiar with going to the eye doctor, making follow-up visits go more smoothly.”
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