Children rarely say "I cannot see well." They assume everyone sees the way they do, so a vision problem usually shows up as behavior instead.
Here is what parents and teachers tend to notice first, and what happens at a children's eye exam.
Signs parents notice at home
- Sitting very close to the television or holding a tablet close to the face
- Squinting, or tilting the head to one side to look at something
- Rubbing the eyes often, outside of being tired
- Covering or closing one eye to focus
- Complaining of headaches after reading or homework
- An eye that drifts in or out
Signs teachers notice at school
- Losing their place while reading, or using a finger to track
- Avoiding reading and close work
- Short attention span for near tasks but not for other activities
- Trouble copying from the board
- Reversing letters beyond the age where that is expected
School performance and vision are easy to confuse. A child who cannot comfortably see the page may look like a child who is not interested in the page.
What a children's exam includes
Seeing clearly is only part of it. We also check the skills that make reading and close work comfortable.
- Visual clarity. How sharply each eye sees, at distance and up close.
- Focusing. Whether the eyes can shift focus and hold it without strain.
- Eye teaming. Whether the two eyes work together as a pair. When they do not, reading gets tiring quickly.
- Eye health. The same health evaluation we do for adults.
A child does not need to know the alphabet to have their eyes examined.
When should my child be examined?
We recommend an eye exam before a child starts school. If you notice possible vision problems earlier, schedule an appointment as soon as you have concerns.
There is no reason to wait for a school screening. A screening checks a narrow set of things and can pass a child who still has a meaningful problem. We explain the difference in when children should receive an eye exam.
Common questions
My child passed a school vision screening. Is that enough?
Not always. A screening is a quick check, usually of distance clarity. It does not evaluate focusing, eye teaming, or eye health. See eye exam vs. vision screening.
Will my child need glasses?
Maybe not. Many children we examine do not. If glasses are needed, our optical team will help you find a frame that fits a child's face and holds up to being a child's glasses.
Do you accept CenCal/Medi-Cal for children?
Yes. We accept CenCal/Medi-Cal for patients of all ages, and CenCal eyewear benefits may also apply depending on eligibility and coverage.
My child is nervous about the appointment.
That is common. Tell them nothing will hurt and they will be asked to look at pictures or letters. Our staff sees children regularly and is used to taking it at the child's pace.
Do you have Spanish-speaking staff?
Yes. Our entire staff is bilingual in English and Spanish, so families can ask questions in whichever language is easier.
Schedule a children's exam
If something has you wondering, that is a good enough reason to bring them in.
Request an appointment or call 805-925-9575.
