Even if no eye or vision problems are apparent, the American Optometric Association recommends scheduling your baby’s first eye assessment at 6 months.
Things that our Optometrists will test for include:
- excessive or unequal amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
- eye movement ability
- eye health problems
These problems are not common, but it is important to identify children who have them at this young age. Vision development and eye health problems are easier to correct if treatment begins early.
All vision skill disorders and eye health problems–each able to diminish a child’s future performance in school and beyond–may affect 10-20 percent of the population. Early detection is the key for your baby/child.
InfantSEE®, a public health program, managed by Optometry Cares® – the AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an essential part of infant wellness care to improve a child’s quality of life. Under this program, our participating optometrist, Dr. Matt Hendricks ,provides a comprehensive one time eye assessment for infants 6-12, offering early detection of potential eye and vision problems at no cost, regardless of income.
SCHEDULE YOUR BABY’S FREE EYE EXAM with Dr. Hendricks, TODAY BY CALLING 763-416-0622
Typically, an infant/small child will sit on their parent’s lap during the assessment, in which our doctor will use lights and other hand held objects–like finger puppets–to check that the baby’s/child’s eyes are working together and that there are no significant issues that will interfere with proper vision development. If your child is older, we will use more subjective measurements and tests to ensure your child is achieving the best vision and function as possible. Our doctor may use drops or spray to dilate the baby’s/child’s pupils to get a better look inside and ensure the health of the eye. Generally, infants and children find the exam painless and often fun.
Our doctors will test to make sure the child is seeing clearly; will look for nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, and check to see that the eyes are seeing straight and working together as a team. The health of your child’s eyes will be assessed, as well. Although serious problems are not common, it is important to identify specific risk factors at this stage.
SCHEDULE YOUR BABY’S FREE EYE EXAM TODAY BY CALLING 763-416-0622
