Vision Screening: What Age?

My son's eyes were checked early on (in the NICU and at 6 months old) due to his prematurity. He was fine. If I started to notice something like you are describing I'd call his Ped or just schedule a check up at a Opthamologist. We saw Dr. Joseph Miller (http://www.eyes.arizona.edu/ForPatients/Faculty/Miller/Mi...)

My son was born 14 weeks premature so he had to have his vision tested. They dialate their eyes and look in them to be sure they are healthy and developing properly. If you think he maybe having some vision problems I would say to go see your pediatrician and get a referral to an optamologist. They will be able to check your sons eyes and get him some glasses if he needs them.

My daughter's first vision screening was at 4 years old. They found out she has mild amblyopia , which is quite common, and can be corrected if caught early. The last optometrist I went to for her said that his office has started offering free examinations for kids under one year old so any problems are caught early. You might want to get a referral from your pediatrician so that you see someone who is experienced in dealing specifically with children. Even though young kids cannot read yet, there are still many ways for optometrists to test their eyes. I would get it checked out as soon as possible. Good Luck with it!

From what you are describing (your child rubs his eyes, squints) and hereditary issues, he needs to be checked. Just see an eye doctor as soon as you can.

Hi L.~
I run a daycare in my home and one of my daycare babies is two years old. She just recently went to the eye doctors and they gave her glasses. I am not sure exactly how they detemine the need but there is a world of improvemrnt since she got them. So i would find a doctor you trust and get him in as soon as possible!

My daughter is 1 year old and has had her eyes checked. She started doing some funky things, crossing them never focusing. We had her eyes checked at six months. On the recommendation from her pediatrician. She now has worn glasses for the last six months. We're having her twin sister's eyes checked for the same problem this month. I think if you have concerns ask your child's doctor or call an opthamologist and ask their opinion.

I recently was at the eye doctor myself and they had a pamplet that they are encouraging children to have their first exam around 12 months. If you are suspecting something is going on, then I would consult your ped and get a referral, if they don't feel it is necessary, then find an optometrist that will do it with out one, but follow you gutt and get one done.

My daughter had an eye exam around 12 months because she had torticollis and we needed to rule out a vision problem as the cause. They took her (us) in a darkened room and while I held her, he used lights on the opposite wall and a moving stuffed animal to move her attention at the back wall, while he looked in her eyes etc. They also dialated her pupils. So, even though they cannot answer questions or express their recognition of objects or letters, there are ways to check their eyes.

If you are in the Albuquerque area, there is a pediatric optometrist in Abq, Dr Todd Goldblum who I have repeated heard is the best. The doctor I went to in Rio Rancho was fabulous and had top of the line equiptment, Dr Planitz (sp?) The latter is a female, not sure if that would matter to your son, I know some little ones respond quicker and bond quicker with females than males, just my experience.

Good luck!

I have a child who wears corrective lenses and I found out he needed them by reading his behaior and body language. At 4 my son began to show signs of a vision problem. It got worse as time went on. He had trouble seeing things right in front of him and always grew frustrated and impatient when looking at books or constructing puzzles. He rubbed his eyes a lot and told me he couldn't do the 24 piece puzzles I bought him. When I asked him why he said he couldn't see it. I found a great childrens eye doctor and had him evaluated. If you child is still really young and showing signs of a vision problem, don't wait until he's older. Find an eye doctor who specializes in infants and children. Look for one in your area or ask your pediatrician. My son has been waering his glasses for 2 yrs now and I have not had anymore issues with his vision. He is excelling in school and can do any puzzle he wants now!!!

My eye doctor told me my daughter should be checked around 3 years old, and she doesn't seem to have any problems (I'm blind as a bat!) If you feel that he might have some issues, contact an eye doctor that deals with a lot of kids. Your ped. might be able to recommend someone, but I'd get it checked out. Never hurts to have someone say he's fine & put your own stress to rest! and Congrats on expecting!

I was just in the peds office and the ped association is recommending they start screening children in their office at age 3. I'm sure if you think your child is having problems, they would check his eyes. Check with your ped.

My child started wearing his glasses at 10 months old. It is amazing what they can do these days!!

S.
Doula, CCBE

Wow, you are a busy mommy! Its funny I just got off the phone with my sister and found out my BIL passed his LSAT and is applying to Law School. With both my girls they started getting their eyes checked at 4 years old at the DR.office. Its just the charts..covering one eye and reading the chart. Last year the school sent a note home asking me to have my oldest daughters eyes check because she didnt do so good at the schools exam. Her eyes ended up being fine but bad eyes run in the family on my husbands side so we keep a close eye on her. Ask your Peds. Dr. if he can recommend anything. There has to be some earlier test I would think. Goodluck on your exam and Crangrats on the new pregnancy!

Start with your pediatrician and go from their. I'm sure there has to be a way to evaluate his vision.