Children’s Eye Exams at Stone Ridge Eye Care

How Often Should Children Visit the Optometrist?

There are a few key developmental milestones at which kids should have an eye exam. A child’s first eye exam should be at 6 months old. Their next exam should be at age 3 and they should have another at age 5, before they start school.

Once children are school-aged, they should have an eye exam at least every 2 years. Once per year is recommended if your child wears glasses, contact lenses, or if they have other ocular or systemic concerns. You should also schedule an exam right away if you notice any of the following behaviors in your child:

• Delayed motor development
• Rubbing their eyes frequently or blinking excessively
• Failure to maintain eye contact
• Poor eye tracking skills
• A misaligned eye or complaints of double vision

Complaints of frequent headaches

Eye Exams Customized for Young Eyes

Many people are surprised to learn that children don’t need to know their letters or or even be able to talk to have an eye exam. We use a variety of techniques like pattern detection and pictures to check your child’s eyesight.

When scheduling your child’s eye exam, try to make the appointment during a time of day when your child is at their best. The exam will typically take about an hour and includes vision testing, eye alignment testing, and eye health testing. We’ll also go over your child’s medical and family history to determine if they are at risk of eye issues.