When your little one starts school, you’ll want to make sure their vision is up to par. That’s why it’s important to take them for an eye exam with an eye doctor in Dublin and Tri-Valley Area before they head off to kindergarten. Most schools require that kids have a vision screening before they start school, but this isn’t the same as a comprehensive eye exam. A vision screening can tell you if your child needs further testing, but it can’t give you a full picture of your child’s eye health. Let’s take a deeper look at when kids should get an eye exam at Optometric Images and what to expect during the appointment.

request an appointment

What is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

A comprehensive eye exam can detect any vision problems that may impact your child’s ability to learn and succeed in school. It’s important to have an Annual Well-Child Checkup with your pediatrician, and this is a good time to schedule an eye exam too.

During a comprehensive eye exam, our eye doctor will:

  • Check your child’s vision
  • Evaluate your child’s eye health
  • Test for common vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that all kids have a comprehensive eye exam at age 3 and again at age 5 or 6. If your child has risk factors for vision problems, such as a family history of vision problems or a medical condition that affects the eyes, they may need to be seen more often.

What Happens During an Eye Exam for Kids?

If you’re bringing your child to the optometrist for their first eye exam, you may be wondering what to expect. Here’s a quick overview of the process:

  1. Your child will be asked to read an eye chart.
  2. The doctor will use a series of pictures or shapes to test your child’s vision.
  3. Your child will be asked to cover one eye and read the chart.
  4. The doctor will then test the other eye.
  5. Your child may be asked to follow a moving object with their eyes.
  6. The doctor will evaluate your child’s eye movement and coordination.
  7. Your child’s eyes will be dilated.
  8. The doctor will put drops in your child’s eyes to help them get a better look at the back of the eye.
  9. After the drops have been in for a few minutes, your child’s eyes will be very sensitive to light. They may have trouble reading or seeing clearly. The effects of the drops usually wear off after a few hours.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Eye Doctor in Dublin and Tri-Valley Area, CA

Call Optometric Images today at (925) 479-0400 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor.