Regular doctor check-ups are just part of your child’s growth. To make sure that their eyes and vision are developing properly and as healthy as possible, you should add an eye exam to the list.

When should you first get your child’s eyes examined?

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age. Children then should receive additional eye exams at 3 years of age, and just before they enter kindergarten or the first grade at about age 5 or 6.

What might affect your child’s eyes negatively as they grow?

There is no definitive game plan for how a child’s vision will progress as they grow. Some children will grow out of their prescriptions, some will keep the same prescription their entire life and some will get stronger regardless of anything they do.

It is very unpredictable, however, how uncorrected nearsightedness or farsightedness can negatively impact a child’s vision and visual development. This is also why it is important to have early eye exams especially if there is suspicion of an eye turn or strabismus. You can also positively impact a child’s visual development with increased time outdoors and decreased time with things like video gaming and using technology such as smart phones and tablets.

Eyeglasses or contacts?

A child should always have a pair of eyeglasses even if they choose to start wearing contact lenses. Eyeglasses will give the child a break from their contacts at the end of a long day. Eyeglasses also need to be worn in case of an eye infection.

The key factors for determining if a child is ready to wear contact lenses is a child’s interest and motivation to wear contact lenses, maturity level, hygiene habits, and the child’s ability to take care of contact lenses by themselves. Participation in sports, the child’s prescription requirement, and the impact of contact lens wear on a child’s self-esteem are also important factors in determining whether an optometrist will prescribe contact lenses for a child.

Does a person’s vision ever stop changing?

Unfortunately, this varies based on type of prescription. In cases of myopia, it is often related to the age at which the myopia appears. Most myopia arises in mid to late teens and tends to level out by 22 or 23 years old. Early onset changes in vision tend to keep changing for longer, even altering into ones thirties.

Despite whether you are farsighted, nearsighted or have astigmatism, your vision will change again in your early to mid-forties as normal wear and tear takes effect on your eyes and causes a weakening in your focusing system for near tasks. This will require bi-focal lenses or reading glasses to supplement the focusing system and allow near objects to be clear once again. This is a process every individual goes through.

No matter your eye care needs, whether you’re getting your child’s first eye exam or grabbing a new pair of eyeglasses for yourself, Clarke EyeCare Center can help!