Eye exams for children are usually done at age five when they begin school. Children’s eyes can be examined at any age if there is any suspicion of eye disease or poor vision. While very young patients cannot answer questions, there is much that can be seen and measured in the eye doctor’s office. A objective refraction can be performed on very young children with very accurate results. Eyes can be measured and monitored for any eye turns, also known as strabismus. Amblyopia, or “lazy eye”, in young children should be addressed early so we have the best chance of achieving normal visual acuity as the child grows older.
Children’s eyes should also be evaluated for early signs of myopia or nearsightedness. New research is showing that early intervention using one or more myopia control therapies can significantly reduce the risk of myopia progression.