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in Health and Fitness

Do You Know When Your Child Needs An Eye Exam?


As a parent, we have so many things we have to think about and remember when it comes to our kids. Sometimes we get so focused on the day to day activities, we do not always remember to follow through on other issues. When we have a healthy child, this is especially true for many parents.  Thank you to ThinkAboutYourEyes.com and MomitForward.com for including me in this sponsored campaign about children’s eye exams.

Do You Know When Your Child Needs An Eye Exam?

does-your-child-need-eye-exam

We take for granted our kids are healthy until something happens that changes that whole idea. You probably take your children to their pediatrician once a year for their annual well check visit, right? Do you know your child needs an eye exam as part of their healthy checkup schedule? According to a National survey, only 2 in 5 or 40% of parents think their child needs an eye exam as part of their healthy checkup schedule. Interestingly enough, this is about half as many who think the same about an annual trip to the dentist (81%) or pediatrician (78%) are essential.

build a bear glasses

Not real glasses, but she hopes to one day “need” them…these belong to her stuffed animals.

If you have a child under the age of 6, they are more likely to miss out. I was surprised to learn that according to the American Optometric Association (AOA), more than a third of parents have ever taken their child to the eye doctor. Mine all went at one for the first time, and have had at least a checkup each since then.  My brother was born with Hyperplastic Vitreous and my mom always stressed how important eye exams are for kids. Because many parents are in the dark about when to take their child to see an eye doctor, 24% of them will wait until their child shows symptoms before seeking help.

think about eyes glasses exam

Image credit: ThinkAboutYourEyes.com

I was absolutely shocked to learn 84% of parents say they would not see an eye doctor when their child started complaining about their vision. What is actually recommended by the AOA is that parents need to take children who do not wear contacts or glasses to the eye doctor every two years. If you are unsure of where to find an eye doctor for your child, you can visit the Think About Your Eyes website. Another area of eye care parents should be aware of is protecting their children’s eyes from harmful UV rays. When you are out in the sun, your child should have their eyes protected. You can learn more about this issue on the Vision Council website.

There are many great optometrists who provide professional, rigorous, and safe pediatric eye exam capable of diagnosing the entire spectrum of eye-related disorders in children – so don’t sleep on it! Get your child booked in now to give their eyes the attention they need.

think about eyes logo

About Brett

I'm a 40 something lifestyle blogger living in Connecticut with my husband and our 3 kids, plus our two rescue pups. We love to hike, travel, play games, watch movies, and just be outside together! Having 3 active kids makes for a hectic schedule and I try to share content, recipes and other things that can help to make today's busy family life simpler, easier, or just plain more fun!

I started working full time at a local middle school in fall 2021 and some of my students are insistent that I am mean.

Comments

  5. Stephanie Galbraith says

    The closest one to me is VISION CENTER BROUGHT TO YOU BY WALMART.

  9. jules m. says

    closest to me:
    MEGAN LATHAM OD
    OPTOMETRIST
    EYECARECENTER-MOREHEAD CITY
    5100 HWY. 70 WEST
    MOREHEAD CITY, NC 28557

  13. joe gersch says

    VISIONWORKS
    19 COLONNADE WAY, SUITE 105
    THE COLONNADE AT STATE COLLEGE
    STATE COLLEGE, PA 16803

  19. Tracy Melhinch says

    ARUP K. CHATTERJEE, O.D.
    AT OR NEXT TO VISIONWORKS
    3547 MIDWAY MALL
    MIDWAY MALL
    ELYRIA, OH 44035

  20. Danielle says

    DANIEL WIESSNER

    VISION SOURCE WALLA WALLA
    614 E ALDER ST #1
    WALLA WALLA, WA 99362

  21. Carolyn G says

    BONNIE FANELLI OD
    OPTOMETRIST

    EYECARECENTER, OD, PA-WILMINGTON
    3901 OLEANDER DR
    WILMINGTON, NC 28403

  25. Amber Edwards says

    Our kids get eye exams once a year usually right before school starts. We take them in to the eye doctor to make sure all is well so they have a great start to their school year with perfect vision.

  29. Nicole Brady says

    My husband and I both have vision issues but the school does testing so we never really gave much thought to how the kids eyes were. Come to find out, the “testing” at school isn’t good enough. We took them in to check and their vision had dramatically changed. They couldn’t see the board at school and it was certainly was effecting their schoolwork!

  30. Danielle Harper says

    I got glasses when I was in first grade and it was like a whole new world. I definitely need to get all of my girls in for appointments just to confirm everything is ok.

  33. Mistee Dawn says

    I get an exam for my daughter at least once a year, sometimes twice. I have bad eyes and I am so scared that I will pass that on to her.

  36. Kathy says

    My husband, daughters and I all see the same eye doctor. We always going in once a year. I think my girls were three or four when they first when in for an eye exam.

  38. Mandie Stevens says

    We had to get my 10 yr old glasses this year so she could see her sheet music for violin. Now we will go annually. We go to Target eye care.

  41. Amy says

    my kids got their first exam at age four here. I think my middle child might need glasses and we will see about that at her wellness visit this summer.

  44. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

    My kids get an eye exam ever year at their well visit. If he detects an issue, he will refer them to a specialist.

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