Written by True Eye Experts
Vision is remarkably important, not only for perception but for learning development in children. Despite 80% of learning taking place visually in the first 12 years of life, 48% of parents with children under 12 have never taken their child to an eye care professional.
At True Eye Experts, we believe that every child deserves access to comprehensive eye care and, when necessary, proper eyewear. Our optometrists are specially trained to perform pediatric eye exams, but we’re often asked by parents, “does my child really need an eye exam?” Many parents are unaware of the importance of taking their child to the eye doctor, but we’re here to help. Here are a few reasons — and signs — that you should schedule a comprehensive eye exam for your child:
Often, it’s easy to know when your child is unhappy or uncomfortable — because they’ll let you know! Whether it’s crying, whining, or simply complaining, many children will express when they have a stomachache, have fallen and scraped their knee, or are experiencing some other kind of health issue that’s causing them discomfort.
What they won’t complain about, however, is their eyesight.
Even if they have a vision problem, children often won’t realize that they can’t see the world clearly. For some children with vision problems, the world has always looked blurry — blurred vision has become the norm — and they have no point of comparison.
It can be easy to search out a doctor for a broken bone or a dentist for a toothache, but visiting the eye doctor is often a proactive, not reactive, action, making routine eye exams especially important.
While children often don’t realize they have a vision problem, they can display symptoms of experiencing a poor vision. Parents, teachers, and other caregivers should keep an eye out for these behaviors:
Have you ever caught your child sitting too close to the television or holding electronics too close to their face? This could be because they can’t see objects that are far away clearly, a refractive condition called myopia (farsightedness).
Some children will tilt their heads or cover one eye if they have an eye problem. Often, children who excessively exhibit these behaviors are struggling from amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye.”
The American Optometric Association recommends that children should have their first eye exam at 6 months old. They also recommend that children have their eyes examined at age 3, 5, and every year after starting school.
No matter how old your child is, our optometrists are specially experienced with performing eye exams for young patients, from pediatric patients to toddlers, to young adults.
If you have any questions about your child’s eye health or want to schedule an exam at True Eye Experts, request an appointment.
Our mission at True Eye Experts is simple — provide the best possible care to our patients. We make sure we’re doing this a few different ways. Our V-Eye-P Exam is one of the most comprehensive eye exams in the industry. We use state-of-the-art medical technology to screen, diagnose, and treat more conditions than most other providers in the area. We have an extensive collection of designer eyewear that can complement any patient’s face, style, and budget, and our advanced contact lens fitting process can help even “hard-to-fit” patients wear contacts comfortably. Book an appointment online at one of our True Eye Experts locations, conveniently located throughout Central Florida. Have questions or prefer to book over the phone? Give us a call today.
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"I have been getting my eyes checked by Dr. Samuel Teske for years. He is very thorough and thoughtful. The staff is also very professional and attentive. Highly recommend True Eye Experts!"
Everyone at this office is very friendly, helpful, and professional, whether it's helping you buy new frames, being fitted for glasses, or just interacting at the front desk. If something is wrong with my glasses, they are quick to remedy the situation. I would highly recommend this office for all your eye care needs!"
"Dr. Randich is personable and thorough. She spends time educating her patients with warmth and genuine concern. Staff is always friendly, helpful, and quick!"
"Staff was very professional, and the eye exam used the latest technologies. Very impressed with all that was done to check my eyes. Great experience!"
I had an emergency and needed to be seen as soon as possible. They fit me in right away and got my injury addressed and on the road to recovery! The staff is so professional and caring! Everyone had a smile on their faces & was welcoming. Thank you so very much for everything! – Kristen L.
