When should the first optometric consultation be done in children?

Sight is paramount to children’s physical and cognitive development. Thanks to it, children learn to understand the world around them, to read, write and carry out everyday activities. The first consultation should be done when your child is a newborn, the next at the age of 3 and then before starting school. These checks help to detect vision problems early, thus ensuring that there is a healthy development of the child.
During the growing period, vision is constantly developing and changing, and the pace and nature of this development varies from one child to another. Early identification and correction of any vision problems not only brings short-term benefits, but lifelong benefits. So, if you were wondering when the first eye test should be done in children, this article is for you.

Eye control in children

The first optometric checkup should be done when your child is a newborn, the next when they are 3 years old and then before starting school. This recommendation is based on the fact that vision problems can affect a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Early detection of any irregularities allows effective and rapid treatment, preventing further complications.

Newborn

A newborn’s vision is mostly blurry, he cannot fixate on objects; but the visual cortex continues to develop, and as the eyes work together, the brain learns to combine the images from both eyes, and vision in space is formed. The physiological strabismus of the newborn can be present until the age of 3-4 months, when the baby starts to see his hands and play with his fingers. If the deviation of the eyes is present after the age of 6 months, then the child should be examined by an ophthalmologist.
So, if your baby is six months old, it is recommended to go with him for an eye checkup. Remember that it is a non-invasive consultation, which does not cause any discomfort to the child. It is also recommended to observe any possible inappropriate signs and discuss them with the specialist. The warning signs that could indicate a vision problem in newborns and for which you can go to the consultation faster are: lack of eye contact, exaggerated sensitivity to light, excessive rubbing of the eyes, abnormal appearance of the eyes.

At 3 years old

Between birth and age 3, children experience a period of intense visual development. Thanks to an optometric exam, you make sure that your child’s vision is progressing normally and that there are no problems. Young children can quickly adapt to visual impairments without their parents noticing. Common problems are amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) and refractive errors (myopia, farsightedness, astigmatism). Your child can benefit from a free eye consultation. Prepare your little one by explaining in simple terms what will happen. You can even role play at home to familiarize him with the process.
Clear vision is essential for your little one’s learning and overall development. Visual impairments can affect fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, reading, writing, or other educational activities. Early detection and correction is of the utmost importance. Early treatment of vision problems can prevent long-term complications. For example, amblyopia is successfully treated before the age of 5 years.

Before school starts

Starting school is a crucial time in every child’s life, and good eyesight is essential for school performance. Identifying and correcting vision problems at this stage is therefore as important as possible and prevents possible learning difficulties. Take your little one for an optometric exam before they start school.

There are certain signs that a child may have vision problems. These include frequent rubbing of the eyes, tilting the head or squinting to see better, difficulty following moving objects, or increased sensitivity to light. The consultation lasts around 15 minutes and does not cause any discomfort to the child. Thanks to the visual acuity test, you will know if your little one sees well both at a close distance and at a distance. If glasses are recommended, there is a wide range of models on the market. Consult with the optometrist and choose products from the children’s eyeglasses category.

As a parent, it is essential to ensure that there is a healthy development of your child’s vision. The first step in this journey is the consultation at an early age, often recommended at six months. This initial examination plays a crucial role in the early detection of any vision problems which, if identified and treated early, prevent long-term complications. Caring for the child’s eyes must therefore be characterized by proactive behavior. Take care of your little one’s eye health!