One of the best ways for parents to protect their infant’s eyes is by scheduling regular eye exams with an optometrist. If your child does display symptoms of a vision condition, it can be diagnosed early on and its impact minimized. Here’s what to expect from your baby’s first eye exam and why it’s so important to keep up regular appointments with your kid’s eye doctor.
Vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or amblyopia are common in infants and toddlers, but they are very hard to identify — especially if your child hasn’t started talking yet. That’s why it’s so important for parents to be aware of the common signs of vision problems in young children.
You may want to visit your children’s eye doctor if your young one is displaying any of the following symptoms:
- Drooping or misaligned eyes
- Indoor and outdoor light sensitivity
- Frequent squinting
- One or both eyelids seem to be drooping
- Different-sized pupils
- One of your baby’s eyes never opens
- Your baby is over one month old but lights, mobiles, and other distractions don’t catch his/her attention
While the above symptoms could mean that your child simply requires eyeglasses, you should never brush them under the rug. They could indicate a much more serious problem with your child’s ocular health, which is why it’s always best to consult with a kid’s eye doctor.
Our Calgary Eye Doctors Provide Comprehensive Eye Exams and Services for Children
At our Calgary eye clinic, our team of friendly and professional eye doctors provide a wide range of ocular services for children including eye exams, selection of eyeglasses, and emergency eye care to ensure that your infant enjoys clear and comfortable vision that will promote his/her development.
Want to know how our kid’s eye doctors can keep your little one’s vision protected?
CONTACT OUR CALGARY EYE CLINIC
5 Main Things Your Children’s Eye Doctor Checks During an Eye Exam
It is recommended that your child should have their eyes first tested by a licensed eye doctor at the age of six months. During this appointment, your eye doctor may use toys and/or lights to assess your toddler’s ability to see colours, perceive depth, and focus.
They may perform the following tests:
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Pupil Response Test. This will evaluate whether your child’s pupils open and close correctly in the presence or absence of light.
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Fixate and Follow Test. By using a light, your eye doctor will determine if your toddler’s eyes can fixate on and follow an object as it moves. Most infants are able to fixate on an object soon after being born and many can follow an object by the time they reach the age of three months.
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Eyelid Health and Function Test. The optometrist may want to examine your child’s eyelids to ensure that they are working normally. This often includes checking for drooping, inflammation, or any other signs that your baby’s eyes require closer attention.
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Vision Correction Test. If required, your eye doctor will use eye drops to help your little one’s pupils dilate. This allows them to check for any refractive errors (myopia or hyperopia), as well as astigmatism.
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Ocular Health Test. After dilating your child’s eyes, the optometrist will assess the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye. This is a very important test, especially if your family has a history of eye disease, because many of the first signs of serious eye conditions show up in this area.
EYE EXAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS: HOW THEY DIFFER
How You Can Help Your Kid’s Eye Doctor
Prior to your child’s eye exam, it’s important to have a discussion with your eye doctor about your little one’s eyesight. During this time, be sure to inform your doctor about any:
- Family history of refractive errors, amblyopia, or eye diseases such as glaucoma
- Previous eye issues or treatments your child has had
- Eyeglasses, surgeries, or contact lens wear
By being as open as possible with your eye doctor, you’ll ensure that your child will receive the most comprehensive care during their first appointment.
Call Today
To find out more about how our Calgary eye doctors can help protect your child’s ocular health and vision, or to learn more about what to expect during your toddler’s very first eye exam, contact our Calgary eye clinic at 403-280-7518 or fill in our online contact form.
FAQs
Q. How do I protect my child from eye injuries?
Young children are susceptible to eye injuries, which is why they require a lot of supervision. In order to protect your child’s vision, make sure you store any cleaning products or chemicals in out-of-reach areas, use age-appropriate toys, and cover any sharp corners in your home. (Kids Toys and Eye Emergencies >)
Q. How long does an eye exam for an infant take?
In most cases, the eye exam is very quick (no more than 15 minutes) and during this time, your eye doctor can check for any refractive errors, astigmatism and assess your little one’s overall eye health.
Q. Will Alberta Health Care cover my child’s eye exams?
Yes. Alberta Health Care provides coverage for comprehensive eye exams for children who are between six months to 18 years of age. Don’t wait to get your child’s eyes checked!