Pediatric Optometry
Technological advances over the last 20 years have allowed pediatric eye doctors to detect vision and eye problems within the first years – and even months – of a child’s life. Whether it is detecting blurred vision in a three-month-old or astigmatism in a third-grade student, Southwest Eye Care is you Bakersfield family eye doctor.
We offer full vision services for all members of your family regardless of age. Read on to learn more about pediatric eye care and how we can help your child to see the beauty of the world clearly.
The Importance of Pediatric Eye Care
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that children have a full vision examination by the time they are six months old. While this may seem early to some, this recommendation is based on years of research and clinical studies.
An infant or small child is not able to verbalize – or in some instances even recognize – that they are having vision difficulties. Without a complete evaluation by a pediatric eye doctor, many vision and eye conditions may go unaddressed for years causing further problems to develop.
That is why it is important to remember your child’s vision and eye health needs when you are scheduling their regular checkups. These milestones often coincide with the AOA’s recommended vision screening schedule for children; six months, three years, five years, etc.
Pediatric Eye Exam
A pediatric eye exam is no different – in relation to the tests done – then a comprehensive exam given to adult patients. Both are checking for vision and eye issues that can affect not only one’s vision but their overall health as well.
The tests conducted during a pediatric eye exam include – but are not limited to – those which will determine the existence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. In addition, we will use a light to check your child’s ability to focus, the alignment of the eyes, and the ability of their pupils to work and move together. To do this, we utilize child-friendly items such as picture books to observe the natural reaction of the eye to light and other stimuli.
Furthermore, we check the pressure within the eye and pupil dilation. Using eye drops to dilate their eyes, we will look inside their eye with a headlight and microscope to determine if there is any structural issue impeding vision. While these eye drops do sting slightly, the discomfort is generally momentary and should not be too concerning.
Once we have a clear picture of your child’s eye and vision health, we can begin to correct any issues so that your child can see all the beauty that the world has to offer clearly for years to come.
Schedule an Appointment Today!