Pediatric eye care consists of annual eye examinations for children to facilitate the early identification of vision problems. If left undiagnosed, vision problems can escalate and affect the child’s ability to read and learn. That’s why routine eye exams are essential for all children. The caring and experienced team of optometric physicians at West Coast Eye Institute offers comprehensive pediatric eye exams for patients in Bakersfield, CA.

When should I start bringing my children for pediatric eye care?

Children should start having annual pediatric eye exams at the age of five since that’s when they typically start learning to read in school. During pediatric eye care, the physician will look for the earliest signs of vision problems and correct them before they worsen. Otherwise, your children may struggle to read their textbooks, and the strain on their eyesight may affect their academic abilities. Annual pediatric eye care ensures that your child’s education stays on track.

Do my children need pediatric eye care if they’ve passed kindergarten screenings?

Kindergarten screenings are designed to catch early vision problems in children, but they’re not nearly as comprehensive as pediatric eye care. They only look for some of the most common types of vision problems. Our optometric physicians provide comprehensive pediatric eye care to identify numerous potential problems, such as binocular vision and developmental issues related to vision. This allows us to correct or treat all vision problems at the earliest stage, allowing your children to see clearly and function optimally.

child getting eye exam

What are the signs of vision problems in children?

Most young children don’t realize they’re experiencing vision problems, so they can’t articulate the problem to their parents. That’s why annual pediatric eye care is essential. However, you can look out for some noticeable symptoms of vision problems, such as:

  • Headaches
  • Inability to focus
  • Covering one eye to see better
  • Difficulty while following moving objects
  • Frequent eye rubbing
  • Chronic eye redness
  • Light sensitivity
  • Holding reading materials extremely close
  • Squinting while looking at objects

Please contact our optometric physicians for pediatric eye care if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms. However, your child may also be struggling with vision problems without these symptoms, so annual pediatric eye exams are essential.

child getting an eye exam

What to expect from pediatric eye care?

During pediatric eye care, the physician will examine your child’s eyes and perform a series of tests. They might perform visual acuity tests and eye muscle coordination tests and examine their ability to follow moving objects. The physician might observe the eyes and eyelids closely to identify the physical signs of eye problems. Finally, refraction tests are commonplace for all pediatric eye exams because they reveal possible refractive errors, necessitating corrective lenses.

Schedule your pediatric eye care in Bakersfield, CA

West Coast Eye Institute is a state-of-the-art ophthalmology practice specializing in pediatric eye care and treatments. Our optometric physicians are incredibly friendly and ensure that your children feel comfortable through every stage of the eye exam. We believe in taking a proactive approach to eye care, identifying and correcting vision problems at the earliest stage possible to prevent them from escalating. Please schedule an appointment for your pediatric eye care in Bakersfield today.