Pediatric Eye Exams for Kids Plano

Pediatric Eye Exams from Our Plano Optometrist

It’s estimated that 25 percent of school-age children, and up to 10 percent of preschoolers, have an undetected vision problem. If these numbers seem bizarrely high, bear in mind that vision is a delicate collaboration between the eyes and brain that can only reach its full potential when all the “working parts” involved are functioning and communicating with each other correctly. That’s why it’s so important that your kids’ eyes receive the proper evaluation at the proper phases of each child’s life. Here at The Plano Eye Care Center, we can provide the Plano pediatric exams and care to help young eyes see, learn and develop as they should.

Schedule exam
Pediatric Eye Exams for kids Plano

Eye Care for Ages 5+

Optometrist in Plano Explains the Importance of Children’s Eye Health

Vision is an acquired skill, and therefore it must be practiced and refined. A newborn has limited visual acuity for this reason. As the eyes and brain learn to work together, the child learns to see clearly at all distances, track moving objects and perceive depth. Vision then becomes an essential tool for learning balance, hand-to-eye coordination and many other skills. All of this occurs while the eyes themselves are still growing and changing. Along the way, however, a variety of problems can occur as well, such as amblyopia (unequal eye dominance), strabismus (eye alignment problems), eye coordination problems, refractive errors and even eye cancer or glaucoma. Any of these issues can interfere with normal vision and visual development.

When to Schedule Plano Eye Exams for Kids

According to the American Optometric Association, every child needs a comprehensive eye exam at the ages of 6 months, 3 years and 5 to 6 years of age. Each eye exam addresses specific issues related to that particular stage of the child’s eye function, health and visual acuity. But you don’t have to wait for these milestones to arrange Plano eye exams for kids. Feel free to bring your child to our optometry center if you’re noticing trouble signs such as:

  • Regular eye rubbing, squinting or complaints of headaches
  • Frequent blinking, favoring of one eye or holding objects at arm’s length to look at them
  • Redness, swelling, lack of eye coordination or other signs of unhealthy eyes

What to Expect from Pediatric Eye Exams in Plano

Your children’s optometrist, Dr. Khoja or Dr. Cui, performs a variety of evaluations in our Plano pediatric eye exams. We can use colored or patterned cards to check an infant’s visual responses, or we can use eye charts showing either letters or shapes to check visual acuity in older children. A detailed viewing of the eye itself can reveal any diseases or alignment problems. Cover tests, peripheral vision testing, retinoscopy and other techniques can tell us whether your child might need vision therapy, eyeglasses or other vision correction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Eye Exams

Children should receive eye care early in life so their vision and eye development can be monitored as they grow. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help identify vision problems that may otherwise go unnoticed, especially before and during the school years.

The recommended frequency can vary depending on your child’s age, vision, overall eye health, and whether they have existing vision concerns. Your optometrist can recommend an appropriate exam schedule based on your child’s individual needs.

Common signs can include frequent squinting, eye rubbing, headaches, excessive blinking, covering or favoring one eye, holding books or devices unusually close, or difficulty seeing things at a distance. Problems with eye coordination or frequent redness may also indicate that an eye exam is needed.

Yes. Clear, comfortable vision plays an important role in reading, writing, using computers, participating in sports, and completing classroom activities. An undetected vision problem may make certain learning tasks more difficult for a child.

A pediatric eye exam evaluates your child’s visual acuity, eye health, focusing abilities, eye alignment, and other aspects of their vision. Testing can be adapted to your child’s age, including the use of shapes or pictures for children who are not yet comfortable reading letters.

Yes. A vision screening and a comprehensive eye exam are not the same. Screenings can help identify certain potential problems, but a comprehensive pediatric eye exam provides a more detailed evaluation of your child’s vision and overall eye health.

Contact Our Plano Optometrist Today to Learn More about Pediatric Eye Exams

Contact us to schedule Plano pediatric eye exams for your children. We can help little eyes stay healthy and functional all the way through high school!