Kids Eye Exams

Good Health & Vision for Our Littlest Patients

A visit to the optometrist can be overwhelming and intimidating for your child. We use complicated-looking tools that may seem scary to young children, but our compassionate staff will handle your child’s exam gently so they can learn something about their eyes and even have a little fun!

We strongly believe that a child’s ability to see is key to their learning and development, so we happily welcome children of all ages to our office. Using a combination of compassionate care, unwavering patience, and gentle examination techniques, we’ll ensure your whole family is well taken care of.


Kids’ Eye Exams in Spanish Fort, AL | Perspective Eye Center

When Does Your Child Need an Eye Exam?

Your child’s eyes can rapidly change as they grow. Because of this, It’s crucial to bring your child in for regular eye exams to monitor any changes and provide corrective eyewear or treatment methods that may be necessary.

Newborn

Shortly after birth, your child should have their eyes examined for basic indicators of good eye health. This will likely include a red reflex test and blink and pupil response. However, if your child was born prematurely, has signs of eye disease, or has a family history of childhood eye disease, they should undergo a comprehensive exam.

6 to 12 Months

During the 1st year of your child’s life, you should have their eyes thoroughly examined again to check for healthy eye alignment and movement. We will also perform the same tests done at birth to determine if anything has changed and if further testing may be necessary.

1 to 3 Years Old

Between the ages of 1 and 3 years old, we will assess your child’s eyes for healthy development and any early signs of eye disease. Tests may involve a photoscreening test where a specialized camera takes high-definition images of your child’s eyes. Any photos we take can help pinpoint early signs of eye conditions like amblyopia (“lazy eye”).

3 and 5 Years Old

When your child is old enough for preschool, they should have their vision and eye alignment assessed. We will use a standard letter chart to test their visual acuity and recommend if they may need corrective eyewear or should expect to in the future.
We may request your child undergoes a full comprehensive exam if they show signs of:

  • Strabismus (misaligned eyes)

  • Amblyopia (“lazy eye”)

  • Refractive errors

  • Focusing problems

In the case we spot early signs of a vision or health problem, we can implement treatments that can help maximize your chances of protecting their eyesight and ocular health.

5 and Older

As your child gets older, their eyesight will become more and more critical to their learning abilities. Having regular eye exams to evaluate their visual acuity and alignment is imperative to help them perform their best in school or playing sports.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that may start developing around this time. By diagnosing it early, we can start implementing myopia control techniques to help slow its progression and help maintain clear vision for your child.


If you have any questions about our examination process or if you would like your eyes examined, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today.

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