With school just around the corner, most parents are busy shopping for pencils, notebooks, and backpacks. But there's one item that can have an even greater impact on your child's academic success: a comprehensive eye exam.
Roughly 80% of what children learn in school is presented visually. That means if your child is struggling to see the whiteboard or focus on printed text, their performance may be affected—regardless of how hard they try. What makes this tricky is that many kids won’t realize they have a vision problem, and they may not speak up unless a parent or teacher notices signs like squinting, frequent headaches, or trouble staying focused.
Unlike the brief vision screenings sometimes done at schools, a full back-to-school eye exam checks more than just how well your child sees letters from a distance. It looks at how their eyes work together, how well they can track moving objects, and whether their visual development is on track for their age. Catching issues early can make a world of difference—not just in the classroom, but in sports, social settings, and day-to-day confidence.
What Makes Pediatric Eye Exams Unique?
Children's eye exams are designed with their developmental stage in mind. An experienced optometrist will tailor the appointment to your child’s age, maturity, and ability to communicate, using tools and tests that keep things engaging while still delivering accurate results.
Here’s what sets a pediatric exam apart:
- Age-Appropriate Testing: From picture charts for toddlers to letter charts and digital tools for older kids, the methods evolve as your child grows.
- Visual Skills Assessment: Kids need more than just 20/20 vision—they rely on depth perception, tracking, eye coordination, and focusing skills that adults may take for granted.
- Early Detection: Issues like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye turn), or undiagnosed refractive errors can go unnoticed without a detailed pediatric exam.
- Preventative Focus: Addressing visual concerns early can prevent long-term developmental or academic challenges.
Even if your child passed a school vision screening, that doesn’t guarantee their eyes are healthy or functioning properly as a team. That’s why our optometrists recommend yearly back-to-school exams—especially before starting kindergarten or transitioning to a new grade level.
What to Expect During the Appointment
Knowing what to expect can help ease any nerves—both for you and your child. Pediatric eye exams are typically shorter than adult ones and are structured to keep kids engaged while gathering the necessary clinical information.
Here’s a quick overview of what might happen during your child’s exam:
- Medical and Visual History Review: The optometrist will ask about your child’s health, any family history of eye issues, and whether your child has shown signs of vision problems.
- Vision Testing: Depending on their age, your child will read from a chart, identify shapes or pictures, or follow visual cues.
- Eye Movement and Teaming Tests: These determine how well your child’s eyes work together and whether they can smoothly follow moving objects.
- Depth Perception and Focusing Tests: These assess skills that affect reading, writing, and hand-eye coordination.
- Eye Health Evaluation: The optometrist will check for signs of underlying conditions by examining the front and back of the eye.
If a prescription is needed, you’ll receive guidance on the best options for glasses—whether it’s for full-time use or only during specific activities like reading or using a digital device.
Pediatric Eye Care in
At , we take kids’ eye health seriously. Our team is trained to work with children of all ages and knows how to make exams feel safe, simple, and even fun. Whether it’s their very first eye appointment or part of your annual back-to-school checklist, we’ll ensure your child gets personalized care that supports healthy vision for years to come.
A clear view of the world can boost confidence, reduce classroom frustration, and even improve your child’s behavior. If you’ve noticed changes in how your child reads, plays, or performs in school—or if it’s just time for their annual checkup—we’re here to help.
Request an appointment today and make sure your child’s school year starts on the right foot—with clear, comfortable vision.