HandS On EyeCare

Children's Eye Exams

It is a common misconception that most eye problems start when we get older. This is simply not true. Children are especially vulnerable to having conditions that require attention because they are usually not able to express difficulty with signs of vision or eye health problems.

Children are all capable of being affected by hereditary, congenital, and physical conditions which can hinder future performance at the least or even be life threatening.

It is important to know that vision does not "just happen." A child's brain learns how to use the eyes to see, just like as he/she learns how to use their legs to walk or their mouth to form words. The longer a vision problem goes undiagnosed and untreated, the more a child's brain learns to normalize the visual problem. And the longer a medical problem goes undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the detriment to the child's well being.

That's why a comprehensive eye examination is so important for children. Early detection and treatment provide the very best opportunity to correct vision problems, so your child can learn to see clearly.

The critical periods for your child to be seen are:

At birth, especially for children who are predisposed to certain diseases or are premature.
From 6 months of age to age 2. It is during this period that children are developing the fastest. Sometimes parents can notice eye turns and eye irregularities.
Before starting school. Vision problems can be the source or significant learning and behavioural difficulties. Also, certain eye findings may greatly aid in the diagnosis and/or treatment of systemic diseases a child may suffer.
Every year thereafter for children who need glasses or contact lenses. This is especially important for children before the ages of 8 to 13 as this is considered to be the range for the "plastic period," in which children's rapid development is preparing them for adulthood.
Every year to every other year for children who do not have any vision or ocular health issues, nor do they have any systemic conditions.

CHILDREN AT HANDS ON EYECARE...

Children are welcome at Hands On EyeCare. Our examinations on children range from 6 months of age and up. All of our exams are comprehensive and age appropriate.

Also, we are members of the InfantSee Program, an initiative to reduce childhood eye diseases which enables your baby (under the age of 1) to receive a comprehensive eye assessment at no cost.

We frequently get the questions, "how do you know if kids are really seeing what they are supposed to? How do you do that type of eye exam?" There are several ways to approach each eye exam for each individual child. We at Hands On EyeCare, realize that every exam is different and must be conduct in the most productive and efficient manner possible... but it must be fun and entertaining for the child in order to attain the best results.

"They depend on us for every thing. Who would have thought that they depend on us to see as well. The fact is the way they see now will affect the way they interact in the world for the rest of their lives."