Do Kids Need to Have Eye Exams?

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Children, Eye Exams on August 26, 2024

Regular checkups with a pediatrician are an essential part of keeping children healthy. Eye exams are just as important for kids’ health and development.

Clear, healthy vision helps kids do better in school and allows them to enjoy sports and activities. Keep reading to learn more about whether kids need to have eye exams.

When Do Children Need Eye Exams?

Eye care is an important part of health care for people of all ages, including children.  Children should have periodic vision screenings, which they may get as part of a well-child visit or at school.

These screenings are great for identifying when kids might need glasses to correct a refractive error. However, they typically don’t screen for other eye health conditions.

Visiting an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam can identify eye issues that a vision screening doesn’t spot. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has guidelines about how often your child should undergo vision screenings or comprehensive eye exams based on their age:

Newborn and Infant Screenings

All babies should have an eye screening as newborns and another screening before their first birthday. These tests include non-invasive screenings that only take a few minutes and don’t require feedback from the child.

The first test is checking the “red reflex.” Their provider shines a bright light into each eye to see if it shows a red reflex, like “the red eye” in a flash photo.

Then, they will check blinking and pupil response and check for proper eye alignment and movement.

Toddler Eye Exams

Children younger than school age (around 3-5 years old) should see an ophthalmologist at least once to screen for vision issues common in early childhood, such as farsightedness or an eye turn. An eye exam is especially important if the child has an underlying condition that increases the risk of eye problems or a family history of vision issues such as strabismus. 

These exams are non-invasive and painless. Children may have to respond to simple verbal cues like “Look at my hand, but don’t turn your head.”

The testing can identify conditions such as:

  • Strabismus, or misaligned eyes
  • Amblyopia, or “lazy eye”
  • Refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism
  • Other focusing problems

Screenings for School-Aged Children

For children 5 years and older, it’s recommended that they undergo a vision screening annually. Many children receive yearly vision screenings at school or during their annual well-child exam.

These exams can reveal refractive errors that indicate a need for glasses. Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a common vision problem with children of this age.

If your child fails a vision screening or complains of headaches or eye strain, you should schedule a comprehensive eye exam with their ophthalmologist at EyeHealth Northwest. Other signs of vision challenges are difficulty learning to read, clumsiness, or sitting very close to the TV screen.

Even if they are not experiencing vision problems currently, children with certain conditions such as Down syndrome or learning disabilities should undergo a comprehensive eye exam at this age. At a comprehensive eye exam, their eye doctor will use special testing like pupil dilation to examine for signs of eye conditions.

Children who wear glasses should also see their eye doctor every year to make sure their prescription is up to date. Children often have changes to their vision over time and need adjustments to their glasses to keep their vision clear.

Is your child due for an eye exam or vision screening? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!


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Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more