Do you know when your child should go see the eye doctor in Alexandria, VA, for the first time? As a parent, it is important you are familiar with the suggested schedule for children’s eye exams. Good vision and early vision problem detection may help your child perform better at school or in sports. This general schedule may give you a good idea of how often your child should have a comprehensive exam.
The First Visit
Most eye doctors recommend you bring your child in for his or her first Alexandria eye exam by the age of 6 months. This exam may include tests designed to evaluate your child’s ability to follow an object as it moves and react to changes in light.
The Second Visit
The second visit usually takes place around your child’s third birthday or before your child goes to preschool. This visit may include tests designed to evaluate how your child’s eyes work together. Your eye doctor may also use a special symbol chart to determine how well your child can see. This appointment may result in your child being prescribed glasses and frames to help correct vision problems.
The Third Visit
Before your child goes into first grade, you should make sure he or she goes back to the optometrist’s office. This visit will ensure your child is ready for school visually. After this third visit, your child should go to the optometrist every two years. Regular visits may help your doctor catch vision problems and eye diseases early on in your child’s life.
Talk With Your Eye Doctor
The schedule your optometrist suggests for your child may be different because it does depend on your child’s eyes. Your child may have to be seen more often if he or she:
- Had a low birth weight
- Was born early
- Has a known central nervous system dysfunction
- Has a family history of eye disease
Talk with your eye doctor in Alexandria, VA, to find out how often you should schedule your child’s eye exam.