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Pediatric Eye Exams: What Parents Should Know
Most parents are used to booking regular wellness visits with a pediatrician—but eye exams are just as essential for tracking your child’s growth and development. If you’re unsure about when to schedule your child’s first eye appointment or why early vision care matters, you’re not alone.
A child’s eyesight begins to develop from birth and continues to change rapidly throughout childhood. Some vision issues can go unnoticed without a proper exam, yet they can impact learning, coordination, and social development. That’s why early and consistent eye care is so important. In this guide, we’ll cover when your child should get an eye exam and walk you through what to expect at an appointment with Nationwide Vision. With the right information, you can help your child get off to a clear and healthy start.
Why Comprehensive Eye Exams Are More Valuable Than Screenings
While your child may receive basic vision screenings at school or during pediatric checkups, these quick tests are not a substitute for a complete eye exam. Screenings can sometimes detect obvious vision issues, but they often overlook less noticeable problems that could still affect your child’s learning, eye coordination, or visual development. That’s why organizations like The American Academy of Ophthalmology emphasize the importance of scheduling comprehensive eye exams at key milestones:
At birth and again between six and 12 months of age
Between the ages of three and five
When first entering school and then every year or two
Even if your child passes a screening or shows no obvious signs of vision trouble, a full pediatric exam is still essential. Research shows that as many as 60% of children with vision problems go undetected through screenings alone. If your child frequently squints, complains of tired eyes, avoids detailed activities, or has a family history of eye conditions, it’s especially important to book a thorough exam. The American Optometric Association recommends scheduling your child’s first full eye exam by age 5—or earlier if concerns arise.
What Happens at a Pediatric Eye Exam
At Nationwide Vision, pediatric eye exams are customized based on your child’s age and developmental stage. From newborns to teenagers, these visits are designed to monitor vision growth, detect any issues early, and promote lasting eye health.
Eye Examination for Infants
Infant eye exams are gentle and designed to keep your baby comfortable and engaged. Using lights, moving objects, and visual cues, the optometrist will check for healthy eye responses and early developmental signs. Your doctor will examine:
Proper eye movement
Signs of developing nearsightedness (trouble seeing well at distance) or farsightedness (trouble seeing well at close range)
Signs of the cornea (the clear dome at the front of the eye) developing an irregular shape
Ability to focus at different distances
Problems at the back of the eye by testing your child's red reflex. This reflex occurs when light passes through the pupil and is reflected off the back of the eye; it's what causes "red eyes" in pictures taken with a flash.
Eye Examination for Young Children (Ages 3-5)
For younger children, the exam includes simple and fun participation. If your child can’t read yet, your doctor may use an “E” chart or picture-based visuals—like symbols, shapes, or animals—to assess how clearly they see. Additional checks may include:
Color vision
Depth perception
Crossed eyes
A lazy eye. This can be successfully treated, especially when caught early.
Eye Examination for School-Aged Children (Ages 6-12)
At this age, most kids can complete standard vision screenings with letter charts and near-vision reading tasks. These exams help diagnose common refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism and assess whether your child needs glasses—or an update to an existing prescription.
The doctor will also evaluate how well the eyes work together, follow movement across a page, and stay aligned. Internal structures like the retina and optic nerve will be reviewed to ensure overall eye health is on track.
Eye Examination for Teens (Ages 13-17)
During the teen years, shifts in vision are common due to growth and increased digital screen use. Your optometrist will check for eye fatigue, headaches, or blurry vision, and conduct a refraction to determine if corrective lenses are needed.
If your teen is interested in wearing contacts, the doctor will assess the health of their eyes, measure for lens fit, and go over hygiene, wear time, and lens types (single use vs. monthly). Teens with a family history of eye disease or chronic symptoms may also receive a closer look at their retina and optic nerve.
Annual exams are essential during these years to catch changes early and support healthy vision through school, sports, and everyday life.
What a Pediatric Eye Exam Can Tell You
A pediatric eye exam offers more than just a vision check—it provides valuable information about your child’s overall eye health and development. Here’s what you can expect to learn during your visit to Nationwide Vision:
Tracking Visual Development
Your child’s optometrist will assess whether their vision is progressing as expected for their age. This includes identifying refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism. If glasses are needed, your doctor will help choose frames or lenses that match your child’s daily routine and ability to care for them.
Early Detection of Eye Conditions
Some childhood eye issues—like lazy eye (amblyopia) or misaligned eyes (strabismus)—don’t always come with clear symptoms. Regular exams are key to catching these concerns early, when treatment is often easier and more effective. Early diagnosis can help protect your child’s sight and support their academic and social development.
Assessment of Visual Functions
Your child’s exam will include checks for important visual skills, including how well their eyes work together, track moving objects, and judge distances. These abilities are essential for everything from reading to sports. If there are any delays or concerns, your optometrist may suggest vision therapy or other techniques to improve visual coordination.
Personalized Eye Care Advice
Your visit is also a great opportunity to get expert guidance on daily eye health. The optometrist may offer tips on managing screen time, choosing proper lighting for homework, and using protective eyewear for physical activities. These habits can help protect your child’s vision both now and in the future.
Ongoing Vision Support
As your child grows, their eyes continue to change. Regular exams give your provider a baseline to monitor progress and address any updates in vision needs. Based on your child’s age and exam results, your optometrist will recommend a follow-up schedule that keeps their eyes healthy at every stage of development.
Why Pediatric Eye Exams Are Essential
Pediatric eye exams are important for evaluating whether your child needs glasses or if they have any eye health issues that need addressing. If the eye doctor thinks additional visits are needed, they will let you know and explain any next steps. In many cases, however, you'll simply schedule the next eye examination check-up. Hopefully, this will put your child on good footing for a lifetime of productive eye visits and good eye health.
Schedule a Kid’s Eye Exam Today
Nationwide Vision is staffed with doctors ready to support your child’s vision with a comprehensive kid’s eye exam. We even have specialists in vision therapy in a few locations! Find a location near you and schedule an appointment today.