Parents should schedule comprehensive eye exam appointments for children every year or so, as children’s eyes are constantly developing. We recommend starting with well visits around age three.

In this post, Spectrum Eye Care, a top provider of eye care services in the local area, discusses eye conditions and diseases that can be detected through these well-child visits.

Eye Conditions We Can Detect

Some of the most common eye conditions that can be caught during your kids’ well-child visits are refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Other conditions include:

• Amblyopia (lazy eye)

• Color deficiency (color blindness)

• Ptosis (drooping of the eyelid)

• Strabismus (crossed eyes)

For Further Testing

If you or your child’s pediatrician suspects that your child may have a vision problem, they may refer you to a local ophthalmologist or an eye doctor who can conduct further testing. Some warning signs that you should look out for include:

• Crossed eyes or wandering eyes

• Squinting or turning the head in a bizarre manner when watching TV

• A family history of childhood vision problems

• Disinterest in reading or viewing distant objects

Apart from bringing your child to eye exams, you should also be proactive in taking safety measures to ensure their eyes are protected from injury. This is especially important for children who participate in sports. Also, make sure that they are playing with toys that are appropriate for their age. Avoid buying them toys with sharp or protruding parts.

Spectrum Eye Care is a local practice that provides quality eye and vision care services. Apart from our expertise in various eye conditions, we also offer a range of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Call us at (704) 543-9000 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.