Value of Pediatric Eye Exams

A newborn baby’s vision is mostly blurry. However, their visual system develops and fully forms over the next few months. That said, it is vital to protect your little one’s vision with regular pediatric eye exams as they grow. 

It is common practice for pediatricians to conduct a vision screening during your child’s physical. However, such screenings are not a substitute for a thorough pediatric eye exam performed by an eye doctor. 

Why Your Child Should Undergo Regular Pediatric Eye Exams

Pediatric eye doctors use specific diagnostic and clinical assessments and tools to determine visual abilities and ocular health in children. Parents should understand that many learning abilities depend on the strength of a child’s visual skills. 

Such skills include accurate eye movement, binocular vision, the ability to see distant objects, and more. Thus, your child should undergo an eye exam even before they reach school age. 

Benefits of Pediatric Eye Exam

Do you undergo regular comprehensive eye exams? When was the last time you took your little one for a pediatric eye exam? Like you, your child needs to have the condition and health of their eyes monitored regularly. Fortunately, there is nothing to worry about an eye exam for children. Some of the benefits of pediatric eye exams include:

Kids May Not Realize That They Have a Vision Problem

One obstacle that many parents face is determining how well their children can see. After all, kids become accustomed to their vision. They may not even realize their eyesight could be better. 

Furthermore, young children may not have the language or communication skills to express a problem with their vision. Regular pediatric eye exams are a great way to ensure a child’s eye health and vision are as good as they can be. 

Children Mostly Learn Visually

According to experts, as much as 80 percent of learning in kids is visual. They learn through experiments, books, boards, and screens. So, if your child has compromised vision, that could affect their learning abilities. 

According to studies, many children who struggle academically could have easily correctable vision issues. Unfortunately, it is easy to misdiagnose vision issues as a learning disability. Regular pediatric eye exams can ensure that your little one will be able to fulfill their academic potential. 

Kids Are More Likely to Develop Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness, also called myopia, is where one sees near objects clearly but not those further away; instead, they appear somewhat blurred. Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses can help correct this problem. Also, according to studies, kids who spend too much time staring at a digital screen often develop myopia faster than those who do not. 

Nowadays, screen use is very high among kids. This is the reason cases of rapid onset myopia are so high. Regular pediatric eye exams will monitor your child’s vision so that their prescription is accurate in correcting their nearsightedness. 

Long-term Eye Health

Eye conditions are more common as people age. However, some may develop at any age. By taking your child for regular eye exams, you can have peace of mind knowing that an eye doctor is monitoring your little one's eye health. If any eye condition develops, swift treatment will help protect your child’s long-term eye health.

For more on pediatric eye exams, visit Eye Care Center at our offices in Fridley, Maplewood, or Maple Grove, Minnesota. You can call (763) 308-8440, (651) 777-3555, or (763) 420-6981 today to schedule an appointment.