The American Optometric Association recommends children have their first pediatric eye exam by the age of 6 months, and then at ages 3 and 5, and every year thereafter if they have a prescription. Children's eyes develop rapidly during the early years, and early detection of any vision problems is crucial for their overall development.
Routine eye examinations are not only about ensuring a child can see clearly but also about ensuring their eyes are healthy. Regular pediatric eye exams can help detect a range of potential vision problems that can hinder your child's development and academic performance.
Vision plays a crucial role in your child's learning. Up to 80% of learning in school is visual - reading from the board, copying notes, or reading a book all require excellent visual skills. It is estimated that 1 in every 5 students has an unidentified vision problem that is impacting their success in the classroom. At Amplify EyeCare, through our children's vision services, we make sure that your child's vision is not holding them back in their learning and academic performance.
Choosing the right glasses for your child is about more than just aesthetics - it's also about comfort, great vision, and durability. Our pediatric eye care team can help you and your child choose frames and lenses that fit well, look good, and stand up to the rough and tumble of childhood.
As your trusted center for comprehensive pediatric eye care, we understand the unique challenges of fitting children with contact lenses. With our extensive experience in pediatric contact lens fitting, we ensure that your child's contact lenses are comfortable, safe, and suitable for their vision needs.
It is estimated that about 2-4% of the U.S. population has strabismus (eye turn) , and around 2-3% has amblyopia (lazy eye). This can manifest in several ways. In one case the brain is not able to control the alignment of one eye or both eyes. The child could see double images, which is confusing. In a different child, the eye may not see as well and over time the brain will ignore visual information coming from the one eye. We provide extremely effective treatments for both strabismus and amblyopia. It is always better to catch these problems early, which is the reason that we encourage parents to bring children in for a vision exam at 6 months of age and before they start first grade. Pediatric eye exams or developmental eye exams can help us make sure both eyes are working well together. If there are signs of amblyopia, strabismus, or any developmental vision problems, we will recommend promptly starting treatment. This proactive stance prevents possible eye issues, ensuring your child has the best vision for today and the future.
To learn more about how we diagnose and treat these conditions, you can visit the following links:
Myopia or nearsightedness is a growing concern among pediatric optometrists and pediatric ophthalmologists. This is primarily due to the major increase in myopia among children as well as the knowledge that for every diopter increase in a child’s prescription the risks of severe eye diseases such as Glaucoma, Cataracts, and Retinal Detachment increases by 20%-67%. In our practice we use different methods to slow down the progression of myopia. It is wonderful that there are several options, which include the following:
How does myopia (nearsightedness) impact your child in the classroom or while engaging in sports? Use our myopia simulator to see how your myopic child may see the world around them and better understand how that is impacting their success.
Vision therapy is a specialized treatment program designed to improve and correct specific vision problems. These issues may include eye coordination, eye tracking and focusing skills, and visual processing speed. Unlike glasses or contact lenses which address one aspect of a person's vision, vision therapy looks at the entire visual system, including the eyes, their ability to work together, and visual information processing.
Children with special needs like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome often have unique vision needs. In fact, a 2018 study published in the Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus found that up to 40% of children with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism have strabismus (eye turn), compared to 4% of the general population. Amblyopia (lazy eye), a common vision development disorder, is estimated to affect 2-3% of all children, but the prevalence can rise to 20% or higher in populations with developmental disorders.
ASD kids might find eye contact challenging, have focus issues, or are sensitive to light. For them, frequent eye exams are vital to track their vision development and detect and treat any eye conditions early.
Children with down syndrome might face vision issues such as blurry vision, misaligned eyes, or even cataracts. An early and thorough eye exam can help identify these issues and prompt treatments.
In all situations, regular pediatric eye care in a nurturing environment can significantly benefit these children. By following proactive eye care measures and regular check-ups, we aim to support optimal vision health for all children.
According to the World Health Organization, 90% of eye injuries are preventable, with a significant percentage of these injuries occurring in children. Children's eye emergencies can sometimes be challenging to handle due to their inability to communicate effectively. Rest assured, at Amplify EyeCare, our team of experienced optometrists are here to provide the utmost care for your child's eye health. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if your child is experiencing any of these eye emergencies.
These are some of the common eye emergencies that a child may experience:
Take our online visual skills assessment to help identify if you or your child has a potential visual deficit that may be interfering with success in the classroom, work, or sports
Early detection of vision problems and timely treatment can significantly impact your child's development and quality of life.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can reach out to your nearest Amplify EyeCare practice either via a call or in-person visit. We're here to ensure your child receives the best possible eye care, and we're committed to helping them see their world more clearly.
