What to expect during a child’s eye examination

Our optometrist Nik provides some insight on what you can expect during your child’s eye examination.

What are some signs that your child(ren) may need glasses?

Squinting (no pun intended!) for children starting in school is usually a clear signal they are having issues focusing in the distance. Headaches after reading could indicate troubles with near focusing abilities and/or allignment issues.

An aversion to reading or poor performance in school are also signs it could be related to vision.

What can be expected at a child’s eye exam?

A child’s eye exam consists of a thorough oculo-visual assessment. It is recommended to start early; the child does not need to be verbal as objective tests can be used to determine if there are any abnormalities. The power of the eyes is just one small segment of the eye exam and a sight-test alone does not constitute an eye examination.

For kids, we generally conduct the following tests:

• The eye muscles are tested to rule out any eye turns or “lazy eye” (amblyopia).
• The depth perception and colour vision are checked, as the prevalence of color vision defects are 8% in males. It is important to know this early in life as there are a few professions in which a color vision deficiency can pose as a barrier.
• The eye health is thoroughly checked to not only screen for any disease or defect, but to establish a baseline which can be referred back to yearly. Every eye is unique and having a baseline to refer back to later in life is very important in establishing patters related to a number of diseases including glaucoma and retinal disorders.

Do you have any tips on how to encourage kids to wear their glasses regularly?

With the number of children needing glasses these days, it is much more accepted and not something that is teased as often as it has been in the past. Allowing the child in the decision making process is important as they will be more likely to wear something they like as oppose to what the parent prefers. Have a few options set out and allow them to make a decision.

The optometrist will also explain the benefits and importance of wearing the spectacles as prescribed.

Sometimes the fit of the glasses is not right and makes it uncomfortable for the child to wear them. This is where our experienced dispensing optician comes in, as they will make sure the frame is a good fit for your child. Something an online retailer can not provide. Periodic adjustments are also important as children do grow fast.

The key to good eye health is to start early and have their eyes tested regularly.

Book your child’s eye examination at Gregory & Seeley today!