Vision screening & eye exams for infants and older children

Why is vision testing important?

Your child’s vision affects how they explore the world, learn new skills, and interact with others. While most children are born with healthy eyes, vision problems can interfere with their growth and cause challenges at home and at school. Benefits of regular vision testing include:

• Early detection of vision problems: Many vision problems can be treated effectively if they’re caught early. These conditions often show no obvious symptoms, especially in young children who may not realize they aren’t seeing well or may not be able to tell you about issues they’re having. Vision testing allows eye care professionals to catch these issues during critical developmental windows when treatment is most effective.
• Better academic and social performance: Good vision is closely tied to academic performance and social engagement. For instance, up to 80% of learning in the early years is visual, from recognizing letters and numbers to following along with picture books. If your child can’t see clearly, they may fall behind in school or have a hard time participating in activities.
• Building healthy vision habits: Healthy eye habits — like vision testing — can pave the way for a lifetime of healthy vision. Eye care professionals can provide guidance on protecting your child’s eyes from excessive screen time, UV exposure, and injuries. 

When should my child get their vision checked?

When it comes to assessing your child’s vision, there are two main options: vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams. 

Vision screenings

Vision screenings are basic check-ups and are not substitutes for comprehensive eye examinations. These quick evaluations are usually performed by a pediatrician or school nurse. Vision screenings often use tools like eye charts to check for obvious issues.

Vision screenings are a good first step, but are limited in scope. They can’t diagnose specific conditions or less apparent issues, like eye coordination problems or early signs of diseases affecting the eye. If a vision screening flags a concern, your child will need a referral to an eye care specialist — like an optometrist — for a comprehensive eye exam.

Comprehensive eye exams

A comprehensive eye exam is conducted by an optometrist or ophthalmologist and provides an in-depth evaluation of your child’s vision and overall eye health. Comprehensive eye exams are a proactive way to ensure that your child’s vision and eye health are on track, even if there aren’t any immediate issues. These examinations include:

• Visual acuity tests to assess how clearly your child sees
• Refractive error tests to determine if glasses or other corrective lenses are needed
• Eye alignment tests to check for coordination between the eyes
• Eye health evaluations using specialized tools to examine the structures inside and outside the eyes

Comprehensive examinations can detect common vision problems and even rare but serious issues like retinal disorders or tumors. If you have a family history of eye problems or developmental delays, your child’s comprehensive eye exams are even more important. 

What are common vision problems in children?

There are several common vision problems in children.

Refractive errors happen when the shape of your child’s eye keeps light from being able to focus directly on the retina, causing blurry vision. The three most common types are:

• Myopia (Nearsightedness): Children with myopia can see objects clearly up close but have a hard time seeing objects far away, such as the board at school. 
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness): In hyperopia, distant objects are easier to see than those up close. Mild hyperopia is common in young children and may not require correction unless it interferes with vision or causes discomfort.
• Astigmatism: This condition occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances. A child with myopia or hyperopia may also have astigmatism.

Eye alignment conditions affect how the eyes work together.

• Strabismus (Crossed eyes): This occurs when one or both eyes point in different directions due to muscle imbalances. 
• Amblyopia (Lazy eye): Amblyopia happens when one eye has weaker vision because the brain prefers the other. Without treatment, this condition can result in permanent vision loss in the weaker eye.

Color blindness occurs when the eye has difficulty telling the difference between certain colors, usually red and green. This condition is typically inherited and more common in boys. 

What types of vision tests might my child have?

Here are the key types of vision tests commonly performed during eye exams for children:

• Visual acuity tests measure how clearly your child can see. They typically involve reading letters or identifying symbols on a chart (like an eye chart) at varying distances. These tests help determine if your child has nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
• Eye alignment and movement tests check how well your child’s eyes work together. The eye care professional may ask your child to follow a moving object, like a small light or toy. These tests help detect issues like strabismus or difficulty in focusing on moving objects.
• Color vision tests detect whether your child can tell the difference between different colors and are helpful for identifying color blindness. The eye doctor may show your child images or patterns made of colored dots and ask them to say what numbers or shapes they see within the pattern.
• Refraction tests measure how light bends as it passes through the lens of your child’s eye. These tests determine if corrective lenses are needed and, if so, what prescription is required. 
• Binocular vision tests measure how well both eyes work together to form a single image. The eye doctor may use special glasses or tests where your child sees objects at different distances to make sure their eyes are aligned. 
• Stereopsis tests check how well your child can judge the distance between objects. These tests typically involve showing 3D images or patterns that require both eyes to work together. 

How can I encourage healthy vision habits for my child?

Maintaining healthy vision starts with everyday habits. Parents can play a key role by:

• Encouraging outdoor play: Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce the risk of myopia (nearsightedness) in children. Aim for at least one to two hours of outdoor play each day.
• Limiting screen time: Excessive screen time can strain your child’s eyes and lead to digital eye strain or fatigue. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes of screen time, have your child look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Promoting a balanced diet: Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids (found in leafy greens, carrots, and fish), support eye health. Encourage a diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Scheduling regular eye examinations: Routine vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams are essential for catching and addressing vision problems early.
• Modeling healthy eye habits: Teach children not to rub their eyes, to wear sunglasses with UV protection outdoors, and to use protective eyewear during sports or activities where injuries might occur.

By prioritizing these simple steps, parents can help ensure their child’s vision develops properly and remains healthy for years to come.