We sometimes forget that children aren’t – well, at least not exactly – just miniaturised versions of grown ups. When a child has trouble reading something, or finds focusing on a screen uncomfortable, they probably won’t (or can’t) tell you about it. In fact, they may not even know there’s a problem.
When there’s no reference frame to say “wait a minute, this doesn’t seem right”, it’s up to advanced imaging technology and optometrical expertise to diagnosis vision problems. Our optometrists are specialists in children’s eye health, and they bring decades of eyecare experience to every exam: if your child is having any trouble with their visual acuity or general eye health, we will find and address the problem.
Much like when visiting the dentist, many children get nervous about their eye exams. That said, our veteran optometrists always find a way to make them feel comfortable and at ease. Our exams are never rushed, and we always have time to help your children feel at home.
Your child’s eye exam is a comprehensive analysis of both their eye health and visual acuity.
Throughout our lives, over 70% of learning is visual. During our early years, we are constantly learning at an incredible rate, as well as making our first jump into social situations (i.e. making friends). Any vision problems can seriously affect a child’s performance at school, their social skills and self-confidence.
In addition to the usual eye health exam, we will thoroughly assess your child’s vision to ensure they are seeing the world exactly as they should. Where applicable, we will work with your family to help correct any eye health or vision issues.
The first thing we do is get your child feeling comfortable. Eye exams are fascinating, and many children get excited once they know that. We will then use our advanced imaging equipment to assess your child’s eye health and visual acuity. These processes are all non-invasive and the entire exam should be over inside of an hour.
As children age, their exam requirements can vary dramatically. For example, you might just ask a 15 year old what problems they are experiencing, whereas with an infant this must be fully diagnosed through testing. Here are some signs you can look for that may be indicative of a vision problem.