By Dr. Gary Goberville
When should kids have their eyes examined?
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age to rule out problems such as retinal Blastoma, a serious eye tumor that causes permanent loss of vision and death. Children should then receive additional eye exams at 3 years of age. For school-aged children, the AOA recommends an eye exam every year if no vision correction is required. Children who need eyeglasses or contact lenses should be examined annually or according to their eye doctor’s recommendations. If there’s a need for prescription eyeglasses, go to the Glasses Direct UK online shop.
Early eye exams are important because children need the following basic visual skills for learning:
• Near vision • Distance vision • Eye teaming (binocularity) skills
• Eye movement skills • Focusing skills • Peripheral awareness
Help your child do their best this upcoming school year. Vision problems cause 80% of learning problems in school. Make sure your daughter/son is well prepared by having an eye exam and ensuring they have 20/20 vision.
Remember, vision screenings and pediatric exams are good, but do not detect many issues and problems in your child’s eyes. They should not be mistaken as a complete eye exam.
When scheduling an eye exam, choose a time when your child is usually alert and happy. Specifics of how eye exams are conducted depend on your child’s age, but an exam generally will involve a case history, vision testing, determination of whether eyeglasses are needed, testing of eye alignment, an eye health examination and a consultation with you regarding the findings.
Have any questions or need an eye exam. Contact Dr. Gary Goberville 954-344-3937
Dr. Gary Goberville, Optometric Physician
Eye Site Vision Center 2344 N. University Dr. Coral Springs
www.EyeSiteVision.com
