Eye Exams Benefit Babies, Too

Most parents assume that their children need their first eye exam only after they have learned how to read. This belief, however, may unwittingly impair a child's development if he or she happens to have vision problems.

The earlier a child can make up for developmental delays that may have been caused by impaired vision, the better, says the American Optometric Association (AOA). The AOA suggests that children receive a complete eye exam at six months, another at age 3, and a third before starting kindergarten.

"The number one myth regarding eye exams of infants and young children is that you cannot get accurate information if the child can't yet read an eye chart. This is simply not true," says Valerie Kattouf, O.D., Assistant Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry.

During an initial examination, Dr. Kattouf looks for several conditions, such as amblyopia or lazy eye, in her young patients, in addition to prescription needs. She notes that many vision problems, if detected early enough, can be successfully treated without using invasive procedures.

Dr. Kattouf offers the following tips for parents scheduling an infant's or toddler's first comprehensive eye examination:

• schedule the exam early in the day so the child is less tired and fussy
• make sure the baby or toddler is fed and dry
• make a game of it by bringing some toys to the doctor’s office to play with while waiting