Pediatric Eye Exams
Preventive eye health care is essential for people of all ages, including infants and children. It is important that infants undergo their first eye examination between the ages of 6 and 9 months. OGen amblyopia (oGen called lazy eye) can only be identified by a trained professional, and can result in significant vision loss and poor 3D vision if not recognized early. It has been found that early identification and treatment of ocular conditions can lead to more favourable visual outcomes. OHIP will cover infants and children once a year for an eye examination until they are 19 years of age. We recommend that your child has a comprehensive eye examination every year.
With the increased use of technology like smartphones, TV, tablets/computers, and video games, children tend to spend a significant portion of their day looking up close, and significantly less time doing activities that involve “distance viewing,” such as playing outside. Research has found that too much time spent looking up close is associated with a higher chance of becoming nearsighted. Nearsightedness can lead to a life-time dependence on glasses and can cause other ocular health problems. Parents can play a role in their child’s eye health by promoting outdoor activities and carefully monitoring smartphone and tablet usage. Please speak with your optometrist about strategies to reduce your child’s risk and progression of nearsightedness.
WHAT’S INVOLVED DURING AN EYE EXAM?
The ocular tests performed in a pediatric eye examination are tailored to your child’s development level and comfort. For those that are non-verbal, we can test your child’s eye movements, their ability to find objects in space, their eye alignment, and ocular health. Younger children can have their vision measured using matching tasks or by identifying pictures. More additional, in-depth tests are performed as your child develops.
Pediatric optometrists are trained to treat, manage and diagnose many childhood eye conditions. Common eye and vision conditions that might arise in childhood are:
- Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
- Glaucoma (Congenital Glaucoma)
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
- Corneal Abrasions and Ocular Surface Disease
Eye drops and oral medications are oGen used to treat the following common childhood eye conditions:
- Ocular Allergies (Allergic Conjunctivitis)
- Eyelid Inflammation (Blepharitis)
- Eyelid Cysts (Chalazion)
- Tearing from Blocked Tear Ducts (Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction)
To schedule your child an eye examination today, please call us at one of our three locations:
- Belleville (613) 968-6560
- Trenton (613) 392-6211
- Brighton (613) 475-3900
