Should My Child Have Visual Acuity Testing?

When very small children clearly can’t tell you what they can and can’t see, you may wonder if you should wait until they can have a standard eye exam. We’ll look at how visual acuity testing works alongside the recommended schedule for eye exams.

Early Signs of Vision Problems

A doctor can spot vision problems in children as early as birth. While they won’t be able to tell whether your child can see the bottom row, they will check the size, shape, movement, and pupil response of the child’s eyes. They may be able to identify anything from cloudy corneas to cataracts within newborns.

Visual Acuity Testing in Children

Children between 6 months and a year old should have their eyes checked by a doctor, who will largely monitor for the same issues listed above. However, once a child is around three or four, they can usually complete more interactive tests at a pediatric eye exam in Falls Church, VA. Whether they know their letters or not, this is a good time to clarify their visual acuity. From there, regular eye exams are recommended around once a year after the age of five.

Eye Exams in Falls Church

At Nora Vision Center, our optometrists in Falls Church, VA, use age-appropriate techniques to assess your child’s visual acuity, but this is only one part of the exam. Our team is there to check for signs of lazy eye, color vision, and even neurological conditions. It’s our job to work with parents to identify issues as early as possible and intervene whenever we can, particularly if your family has a history of eye disease. Even serious visual conditions can potentially be mitigated with the right treatment, so it’s crucial to schedule regular exams for your child.