Your Ashburn Optometrist Provides Comprehensive Kids Eye Exam

Advanced optometry technology has significantly improved the ability of a kids’ eye exam to detect eye and vision problems in children as young as six months old. In fact, your optometrist in Ashburn strongly urges parents to have their child’s eye examined for the first time when the child is between six and 12 months old. Eye doctors are trained to notice signs of possible vision/eye disorders in young children that parents may miss because they are so subtle. Detecting ocular issues as soon as possible in toddlers, children and teens mean your optometrist can begin treating these issues before they worsen or potentially become permanent.

Kids Eye Exam Tests

During a pediatric eye exam, your Ashburn optometrist will evaluate your child’s eye muscles, determine if both eyes are working together to focus on both stationary and non-stationary objects and use either alphabet or picture eye charts to discover if refractive errors are reducing your child’s ability to see clearly. Common refractive errors that require children wear glasses or contact lenses include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Two disorders involving eye muscle strength–amblyopia (“lazy” eye) and strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes)–also affect about four percent of U.S. children between the ages of one and six.

What Else Can a Kids Eye Exam Tell Parents and Eye Doctors?

Anisometropia (unequal refractive error)

Children with unequal refractive error have different refractive errors affecting each eye. For example, a child may be nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other eye. This makes it nearly impossible for the eyes to converge and focus on one object. Kids with anisometropia often develop amblyopia in the eye with the highest degree of a refractive error.

Congenital Cataracts

Cataracts present at birth may not be detectable during a standard postnatal examination. Signs a baby or young toddler may have congenital cataracts include squinting and delayed vision behavior.

Retinal Dystrophy

Another disorder sometimes missed during postnatal exams, retinal dystrophies are associated with nystagmus and poor vision. A hereditary eye disease, retinal dystrophy requires immediate treatment by a doctor of optometry.

Preparing Your Child for a Kids Eye Exam With Their Ashburn Optometrist

Eye exams are painless and often fun for kids who are interested in how their eye doctor’s equipment works. At Optics&EYECARE, our optometrist tells young patients exactly what is going to happen next and takes the time to answer their questions. If you have any concerns about your child’s eye exam, we invite you to talk to one of our knowledgeable staff members when you call to make an appointment.

Your child’s vision and eye health are important to us. Please contact Optics&EYECARE today at (703) 687-4719  to make an appointment for a comprehensive kids eye exam.