When children are born, they do not have a fully formed vision. The vision develops over time as the baby’s brain develops. The first few years of life are crucial for the child’s eye development. As a parent, you need to treat your child’s eye health as a priority. 

Regular eye exams will help ensure that your child’s eyes develop properly. Early detection and treatment can protect the child’s long-term vision. It is essential to learn the value of pediatric eye exams. 

Development of the Eyes

If the link between the brain and the eyes fails to work correctly, it can affect the development of both eyes. Development happens gradually as the child grows. A hindrance in the child’s vision when they are still young can mean that they do not learn to see correctly. 

If the child has a condition like lazy eye or amblyopia, it can affect depth perception and lead to vision impairment. If not treated early, it can be irreversible. 

Eye Problems in Children

Some problems occur early in life, and most threaten long-term vision. Amblyopia affects almost three percent of children. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital. Parents should know how to look for signs of eye problems. 

Eye misalignment is easy to spot, affecting one percent of children. It occurs when one eye looks in a different direction when looking at an object. Other common problems are difficulty with near or distance vision. 

Right Age for Eye Exams

Experts recommend that children get their first eye exams in their first year. This exam will help determine whether the eyes are developing correctly. If you notice eye issues early, you should schedule the exam earlier. 

It is essential if you have a family history of conditions like misalignment, amblyopia, cataracts, or refractive errors. The second exam should be before the child starts school. During school years, exams should be conducted annually or every two years.

Value of Pediatric Eye Exams 

The causes of many eye conditions remain unknown, but some are due to genetics or premature birth. Before the child starts school, scheduling eye exams will help detect vision issues that can affect learning. Many learning and behavioral problems can result from eye and vision issues. 

The exams help ensure excellent visual acuity at different distances and accurate eye movement and eye teaming. You need to ensure that your child does not have issues that affect how well they learn. Pediatric eye exams are vital for a child’s overall health and well-being. 

Treating Pediatric Eye Problems

Following the identification of eye issues, some treatments can help protect the eyes and vision. The most common treatment involves the use of corrective lenses. Eyeglasses help improve the child’s sight. Almost 25 percent of school-going kids wear glasses or corrective lenses.

Other treatments may include wearing a patch to strengthen one of the eyes. Patches can help with eye misalignment, but surgery may be necessary. 

A pediatric eye exam is a comprehensive assessment of a child’s vision and eye health. A pediatric optometrist or pediatric ophthalmologist conducts it. Early diagnosing and treating eye conditions is critical. 

For more on the value of pediatric eye exams, call Vision One Eyecare Center at our offices in Kentucky. For Ft. Mitchell call (859) 267-1700 or for Dry Ridge call (859) 407-7400.