What age should my kids visit an Optometrist?
The question of whether or not your child should visit an Optometrist has to be a valid one. After all, you don’t want to take them somewhere they aren’t prepared to diagnose and treat them (and at the right age), right? That’s why in this article we’re going to cover some basic information about when you should visit an eye care specialist for the first time. Insight Vision is an Optometrist in Shakopee MN that can help you and your family with their vision needs.
Can my child see an optometrist before my friends children have had an eye exam? What if I get the OK from their pediatrician (or primary doctor)? It’s important to remember that every child is unique. Some may require care sooner than their peers, and that is OK. As a parent, you can be the first line of defense against the many issues that can affect your child’s eyesight. If you notice something out of the ordinary or if your kids are complaining about their vision, schedule an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist or optometrist near you.
It’s important to bring your children in for a comprehensive eye exam as soon as they can sit still and pay attention. At this age, we can assess how their eyes are developing and make sure things are on track. It’s also the perfect time to discuss what kinds of glasses might be best for them as they grow up.
Meeting your Child’s Needs
The American Optometric Association recommends that you should take your child for an examination by age 3. However, some children may need to go at an earlier age. At Insight Vision, we have experience with infants and children of all ages. Insight Vision is an Optometrist in Shakopee that can help you and your family with their vision needs.
One thing to keep in mind is that most people don’t realize how often their eyes need care—even if they wear glasses or contacts, it can be easy to overlook things like tearing or dry eyes. Throughout their life, your child may notice symptoms of dryness or discomfort with their vision. If this is the case, it’s always worth a trip to see an optometrist. Another factor to consider is your children’s behavior. If they seem to be having trouble focusing on things or have difficulty seeing clearly, it may mean something more serious than just needing glasses. Children who are having trouble with their vision may also be experiencing other issues. These could be from learning disabilities or ADHD. If caught early enough, these problems can be identified and treated before they become too severe!
How often should my kids see an Eye Doctor?
Once a year for a comprehensive eye exam (and more often if recommended). Many children will develop bad habits. That’s life! These habits could be not wearing their glasses, which could lead to further eye problems later on in life. Seeing an eye doctor regularly will help keep them from developing these bad habits. It can also prevent many common problems from developing later on.
If they have difficulty seeing things up close or far away without glasses/contact lenses. This may indicate an issue with their prescription or another underlying condition such as amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), esotropia (a deviation outward), exotropia (a deviation inward), diplopia (double vision), nasolacrimal duct obstruction (a blockage in drainage ducts), chalazion/stye (inflammatory growths), refractive errors, or more. Insight Vision is an Optometrist in Shakopee that can help you and your family with their vision needs.
About Us
If you’re looking for eye care in Shakopee, Minnesota, you can count on our team of pediatric ophthalmologists to treat your kids with the highest level of care. We’ll give your children a thorough eye exam and provide them with the best possible vision correction options—including eyeglasses. We believe that every child deserves to have great eyesight. Our clinic is conveniently located in Shakopee, so you won’t have to travel far for an appointment.
Our practice is dedicated to helping all kids achieve their full potential. We specialize in treating amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), esotropia (inward-turning eyes), exotropia (outward-turning eyes), diplopia (double vision), nasolacrimal duct obstruction (blockage of tear ducts), chalazion/stye (acne-like bumps on eyelids or cornea), refractive errors (nearsightedness), and more.
In the Future…
The best time to take your child to the eye doctor is when they are experiencing any behavioral change. Don’t wait until something is wrong. The sooner a problem is caught the better off you will be; you don’t want your child going through school with an undiagnosed vision problem. As you can see, there are no hard and fast rules for when your child should visit an eye care professional. The best way to find out whether they need an eye exam is to take them to the eye doctor, and have them examined. You can rest assured that, if they have a condition that needs treatment, the eye doctor will treat it. And if they don’t need treatment, at least you’ll have piece of mind. Visit Insight Vision, an Optometrist in Shakopee MN, so that can help you and your family with all your vision needs.