Much like the way your child learns to walk and talk, they also need to learn how to use their eyes. And because they do not have any frame of reference to how their vision is supposed to work, they may not speak up when they are experiencing a problem.
Routine eye exam appointments can help you manage the health of your child’s eyes as they are growing up and spot issues early enough to prevent permanent damage.
Is your child due for an exam ?
From birth, your child has all the necessary structures inside their eyes to see, but their vision is still developing. Over the first couple of months, your child’s eyes will develop the tools to see further distances, with colour vision fully developing around 4 months.
You should book your child’s first eye exam when they are about 6 months old, as recommended by The Canadian Associates of Optometry. It is around this age where you might begin to notice if your child has amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (crossed eyes), which will need correction through the use of contacts or eyeglasses.
You should schedule their next eye exam around the age of 2 and 5, specifically to look at how your child is developing depth perception and hand-eye coordination. From the age of 6 and up, you should be booking eye exams for your child annually.
It’s the responsibility of parents to manage the health of their children’s eyes, especially when their children are very young. Your child might not know they are experiencing issues with their vision, but there are ways for you to spot the problems before they become more serious.
Take note if your child is:
If your child is displaying these symptoms, book an eye exam . Your optometrist will help you find a solution that matches your child’s needs.
We are committed to providing you with great vision. Visit us today!
Access from Victoria Street – parking is available behind the building. The elevator access from the parking lot.
Elora Optometry
