Child Eye Care
Eye issues can manifest at any stage of life. However, consistent eye examinations can identify these concerns early and reduce the chances of further progression. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure your child's vision check-ups are regular.
When should my child first visit the optometrist?
It's advised that children undergo their inaugural thorough eye examination by the age of 3. Following that, once they begin school, they should have an eye check-up at minimum every two years. An annual review is recommended if your child is already using prescription eyewear.
A child's visual capacity plays a crucial role in their learning and overall growth, given that most youngsters primarily acquire knowledge visually until they're around 12. It's common for visual hindrances to remain unidentified since many children, lacking a comparison, might not recognise a vision anomaly.
What should I look out for in my child’s eye health?
Recognising a vision irregularity can be challenging unless a child voices complaints about eye discomfort, headaches, or struggles with school tasks. Thus, a regular eye assessment is a proactive approach.
Potential indicators of a vision issue include:
- Limited attention to objects in the distance
- A tendency to sit very close to screens or boards and clutching items near the eyes
- Regular squinting or evident unease in bright light
- Inconsistent hand-eye coordination, such as challenges with catching, hinting at potential visual challenges
What your child's eye examination entails
During the evaluation, our optometrist will conduct the following procedures:
- Assessing the pupil's reaction to various light intensities
- Evaluating the eyes' proficiency in focusing on and tracking objects
- A retinoscope will be employed to inspect the eye's interior.
- Rather than the standard letter board, youngsters might be presented with a sequence of symbols and patterns. The' tumbling E' exercise is utilised for the young ones unfamiliar with letters and patterns. Here, kids are prompted to indicate the direction in which the letter 'E' is oriented.
The optometrist will determine if your child requires prescription eyewear based on this examination. If so, periodic checks, preferably yearly, are vital to monitor their visual changes, given that it's not uncommon for children to need updated prescriptions as their vision matures.
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