Children’s Eye Exams | Eyes Etc. Optical

Dr. Fowler & the Eyes Etc. Optical Team Can Help Protect Your Child’s Eye Health & Vision

Your child’s vision develops as they grow, helping them learn and interact with their environment. With how important your child’s vision is, you want to avoid potential problems. While vision problems can develop as your child grows, we can diagnose these issues before they affect their vision.

Regular comprehensive eye exams are the best way to help protect your child’s eye health and vision. Dr. Jeannine Fowler and the team can identify early signs of eye problems and recommend effective treatments. Book your child’s appointment today and visit us in Fort Myers.

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The Importance of Your Child’s Vision

Around 20% of preschool-age children have a vision problem and 25% of school-age children require corrective lenses. A vision problem can affect your child’s school performance and self-esteem. Eye exams are essential for helping detect these problems early, so we can protect your child’s vision as they grow.

Certain eye conditions are best treated at a young age, meaning eye exams are essential for an early diagnosis. Common eye conditions in children include:

Refractive errors: Refractive errors are a type of eye problem affecting how well someone can see—these refractive errors include myopia, hyperopia, & astigmatism.
Amblyopia: Sometimes called a lazy eye, amblyopia is a condition where there is a problem between the brain & eye’s connection, causing vision in one eye to become weaker with time.

Strabismus: Also known as crossed eyes, strabismus occurs when the eyes don’t work together, causing one eye to turn in, out, up, or down.

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Signs of Eye Problems in Children

Many eye problems can develop in childhood, meaning your child may have visual struggles from a young age. Because of this, they may not know their vision is affected and assume they have normal eyesight. As a parent, you can watch for signs of a vision problem in your child.

Look out for any of the following symptoms and book an eye exam if you notice your child:

Avoids reading or other close up activities
Complains about discomfort
Covers one eye to see
Has an eye turn inward or outward
Has difficulty remembering what they read
Has frequent headaches
Holds reading materials too close to their face
Loses their place when reading
Rubs their eyes or blinks frequently
Tilts their head to one side to see

How Often Should Your Child Visit Eyes Etc. Optical?

According to the American Optometric Association, your child’s first eye exam should happen around 6 months old. Their next exam should occur at 5 years old, and they should receive annual eye exams after age 6 until they turn 18.

We may recommend more frequent eye exams if your child has an eye condition or they have a higher risk of developing one due to family history or another factor.

Is It Time for an Eye Exam?

Regular eye exams are crucial as your child grows up. Their vision is essential for their development, and eye conditions can affect their ability to learn and interact with the world around them.

Contact us when it’s time for your child’s next eye exam—Dr. Fowler and the Eyes Etc. Optical team can help care for their vision.