If you are reading this you probably have your child’s first eye exam booked or are thinking about scheduling one. That is GREAT! I am embarrassed to admit my first exam was at 12 years old!
My parents had no idea that I “needed” glasses. That’s the thing, even if you don’t need glasses it is still important to get your eyes examined. Just like even though you don’t feel sick, it is good to get a physical done every year.
I am very passionate about children getting their eyes examined and want every parent to know that it is important too. Now, I bet you’re thinking about what this appointment be like and ultimately may be a little nervous. Don’t worry we will go over what to expect at your child’s eye exam!
If you are reading this you probably have your Child’s first eye exam booked or are thinking about scheduling one. That is GREAT! I am embarrassed to admit my first eye exam was at 12 years old!
My parents had no idea that I “needed” glasses. That’s the thing, even if you don’t need glasses it is still important to get your eyes examined. Just like even though you don’t feel sick, it is good to get a physical done every year.
I am very passionate about children getting their eyes examined and want every parent to know that it is important too. Now, I bet you’re thinking about what this appointment be like and ultimately may be a little nervous. Don’t worry we will go over what to expect at your child’s first eye exam!
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What to Expect at Your Child’s First Comprehensive Eye Exam
There are various tests and instruments the technician and eye doctor will use to assess the health of their eyes. I like to break the exam up into four different parts: preliminary testing, medical history, refraction, eye health assessment, and picking out glasses.
1. Preliminary Testing
Typically done by an optometric technician.
This may include: peripheral vision screening, estimate of your prescription, eye pressures, a visual acuity test, color vision, and depth perception testing.
2. Medical History
Typically started by an optometric technician and completed by your eye doctor.
A thorough and accurate medical history of your eye and medical health as well as your family eye and medical health is crucial.
3. Refraction
This is typically done by an eye doctor.
The refraction is a procedure that results in your eye glass prescription… you know which is better 1 or 2? With children there are other methods to figuring out the prescription so don’t worry if your child doesn’t know their letters- we have a way around that!
The visual acuity test will be done along with the refraction.
Binocular vision testing may be done after the refraction. This testing gives you information about eye alignment, eye teaming, and focusing.
4. Eye Health Assessment
This part is done by your eye doctor.
First, the front portion of their eyes will be assessed.
Second their eyes will be dilated with eye drops. These drops and will make the pupils big so the doctor can assess the inside of your eyes.
Finally the doctor will evaluate the inside of their eyes with a special light and magnifying glass.
5. Patient Education and Questions
The doctor will go over all pertinent findings, treatment options, and results of any additional testing done.
This is the time to ask your questions and go over any concerns you have with your doctor.
6. Picking out Glasses
Typically this is done by an optician or optical staff.
The optician will help guide them on picking out a pair of glasses and take appropriate measurements for your glasses to work correctly.
What Should I Bring?
1. Medication list
Medications can interact with your eyes in a negative way. Knowing what medications or supplements you take can help your eye doctor determine if more tests should be completed and it gives clues as to potential negative interactions they may have with your eyes.
2. Their glasses
This helps give the eye doctor a better understanding of their eyes, get a sense of their visual acuities, and can help with troubleshooting if glasses problems arise.
3. A copy of Their previous contact lens prescription (if you got it elsewhere) and Their Contact Lenses
This tends to speed up the contact lens fitting process. It may decrease the number of contact lens follow up visits you need.
4. Vision and Medical Insurance Cards
Many things that are done at an eye exam are medical in nature. Of course your comprehensive eye exam will be billed to your vision insurance, however there are many instances when extra testing will need to be completed. Most of the extra tests are not vision related and actually medical. In those cases, your medical insurance would be used NOT your vision insurance.
5. List of Family and Personal Vision and Medical Conditions
Our eyes are an extension of our body. They tell us a LOT about our overall health. Having a thorough and accurate health and family history can help aid in diagnosis and gives the doctor a clue as to what to look for during your exam.
6. A Driver (if under the age of 16)
If you choose to have your child’s eyes dilated or if dilation is necessary to assess the health of their eyes, their vision will be blurry for 4-6 hours after the eye drops were put in. Ultimately, bringing someone to drive you home from your appointment is helpful at any age.
When should my child get their eyes examined?
According to the American Optometric Association, a child’s first eye exam should be between the ages of 6 to 12 months. Yes, you heard me right! Infants should get their eyes checked.
Believe it or not, there are lots of tests that eye doctors can do with babies. If You’ve missed this window, it is never too late to get your eyes examined. This website has lots of good information on pediatric eye exams.
If My Child Passes the Eye Screening Test at the Pediatricians Office or School, Do they Still Need an Eye Exam?
Absolutely, YES! Screening tests are not an equivalent to an eye exam done by your eye doctor. Screenings can miss up to 75% of children with vision problems.
How Long Does an Eye Exam Take?
Eye exam lengths can vary depending on the type of internal evaluation that is done of the eye. On average an eye exam can take 30-60 minutes.
When Should I Schedule My Childs Appointment?
You should schedule your appointment when you aren’t busy. This is because their eyes will be blurry and sensitive to the light for about 4-6 hours after the drops are put into their eyes.
For instance, you may not want to get your eyes dilated and then go boating afterward. You might not want to go to school and take a test after your eyes have been dilated.
If you are a parent scheduling an infant or toddler, it is always best to schedule them when they are the most alert and refreshed. Ultimately, making an appointment during nap time can result in poor results and limit testing that can be done.
In Conclusion
Although the anticipation of getting your child’s first eye exam can be scary, rest assured your doctor is very comfortable around their eyes. Getting a full eye exam is typically quick and painless. Ultimately knowing what to expect at their eye exam can make the experience much more enjoyable.
