As a parent, you want to make sure your child is healthy and thriving, and that includes their eye health. At Prairie Vista Eye & Optical in Liberal, Kansas, we offer pediatric eye exams to help ensure your child’s vision is developing properly and to catch any potential issues early on.  

Our specialists work with kids all the time, so we know how to put children at ease and ensure a positive experience. And, if they need to wear glasses, we offer a range of styles and colors, so they can find the best pair to fit their personality!  

 When does your child need to visit the eye doctor?  

Children should have their first eye exam at 6 months, a second exam at three years old, and again before they enter kindergarten. Once they reach school age, they should get an eye exam every two years if they don’t need vision correction. Children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses should see an eye doctor once a year or as recommended by their optometrist.  

The tests performed during a pediatric eye exam will vary depending on your child’s age, eye health, and visual needs. However, all exams will include a case history, vision testing, determination of whether eyeglasses are needed, testing eye alignment, an eye health evaluation, and prescribing eyeglasses if necessary.  

Why are eye exams important for children?    

It’s important for children to have regular eye exams, as many vision problems and eye diseases can and should be detected and treated early. Children rely heavily on their vision to learn. Eighty percent of all learning is visual, which means children with vision problems often struggle in school.

Pediatric eye exams ensure children have the following visual skills necessary for effective reading and writing:    

• Excellent vision for near, up-close work and distance.    
• Comfortable and correct “eye teaming”, which means the eyes work well together and can focus on the same place in space.    
• The ability to adjust focus to see clearly at different distances.  
• Accurate eye movement skills, such as the ability to read a line of text.    

What are the signs of vision problems in children?    

Children don’t always tell you when they are having vision problems, and some children think everyone sees the way they do. That’s why it’s important to be on the lookout for any signs that your child may be experiencing vision problems. 

Here are some common signs of vision problems in children: 

• Frequent blinking, squinting, or irregular eye movements    
• Frequently turning or tilting their head  
• Covering or closing one eye to see better  
• Poor hand-eye coordination or motor skills  
• Rubbing their eyes frequently  
• Frequent headaches   
• Leaning in too close to see something or read  
• Learning difficulties and poor handwriting     

If you notice any of these signs in your child, it’s important to schedule a pediatric eye exam with our eye doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment of vision problems can help ensure that your child’s vision is as healthy as possible. 

Schedule a pediatric eye exam  

It’s important for children to have regular eye exams. If you haven’t taken your child for a regular eye exam in a while, now is the time to book an appointment! Contact us today to schedule your child’s eye exam.