The Lasting Importance Of Children’s Optometry
Eye Health
Eye exams assess more than just your child’s vision. Optometry does check for any refractive errors, but your optometrist will also view the health of your child’s eye. Using manual exams and advanced optometry equipment, your child’s optometrist will view the different components of your child’s eye and search for signs of the development of pediatric eye conditions. Many eye conditions can result in permanent vision impairment if they are not caught early and managed with an effective plan. Some eye conditions can also lead to other complications. For example, retinoblastoma is a form of cancer of the eye that can develop in children before they are a year old and if it is not managed, this cancer can spread. Other eye conditions have the potential to progress to the point of blindness. By taking your child to the optometrist regularly as they grow, you will ensure that any eye conditions are caught early and are managed so that your child can maintain a high quality of life.
Refractive Errors And Development
Children with undiagnosed vision impairments are more likely to struggle in their academic and social life than their peers with unimpaired vision. Children with vision impairments may struggle to read the board at the front of the classroom or their work in front of them at their desk. This can cause learning difficulties and can foster negative feelings towards school and learning in general. Children with eye conditions that affect their hand/eye coordination or depth perception may also struggle to participate in physical games and activities with their peers. A lack of social interaction and feelings of academic inadequacy can impact your child’s development.
To learn more about how optometry and child development are linked, read
The Value Of A Back-To-School Children’s Eye Exam.
Habit Building
Even if your child doesn’t have an eye condition or a refractive error, optometry care is still an important aspect of overall health and well-being. Annual eye exams will ensure your child’s eye health and vision are continually monitored, but it will also normalize regular eye exams. Even though your child’s eye health might be fine now, it might not be fine when they’re all grown up. People who are used to receiving optometry care from a young age and who understand the importance of eye care are more likely to prioritize eye health as they age. This will help your child protect their vision throughout their life, even when they are no longer living under your roof.
Children’s Optometry Care In Calgary
Children’s eye health is an important part of their overall health and development. Regular children’s eye exams ensure that any eye health conditions or refractive errors are caught early and can be appropriately addressed and the normalization of optometry care will benefit your child throughout their life. For a positive optometry experience with a family eye doctor, contact Sunridge Eye Clinic. Our optometrists and opticians are here for you and your family at all ages to ensure your eyes are safe and healthy. To schedule a children’s eye exam with a family eye doctor, contact Sunridge Eye Clinic in NE Calgary at 1-403-280-7518 or fill out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: What are the common signs of vision problems I should watch for in my child?
A: Common signs of vision problems include:
- Squinting
- Holding objects too close to their face to see them
- Sitting very close to the TV
- Covering one eye when looking at something
- Crossed eyes
- Excessive blinking or eye rubbing
- Poor coordination and balance
- Complaints of headaches, blurred vision, or double vision
Q: When should I take my child to the eye doctor?
A: Your child should go to the eye doctor once when they are 6 months old, once when they are 3 years old, and then every year once they turn 5 years old. To learn about the importance of children’s eye exams, read Children’s Eye Health And Safety Month: The Recommended Schedule Of Children’s Eye Exams.
Q: How much do children’s eye exams cost?
A: Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan covers all comprehensive annual eye exams for children aged 0-18 and for adults aged 65+. The AHCIP also provides coverage for all emergency visits to the eye doctor.
