Experts say approximately 80% of all learning comes from visual pathways. Yet one in four children with a correctable refractive error does not have it corrected properly. A University of Bristol study also discovered that brain-related visual problems likely affect one in 30 school-aged children.
Because of this, it’s recommended that children have their first eye exam at 6 months of age. Another exam should be done at age three and again before the start of first grade. If a child is not at risk, they can continue having their eyes examined every year until age 18.
Children with risk factors for vision problems may need their first eye exam earlier than 6 months of age and may need eye exams more frequently throughout childhood.
Examples of risk factors include:
Children need regular eye exams to detect vision problems that may interfere with learning.
Family history of vision problems, such as myopia, strabismus, amblyopia, retinoblastoma or a genetic disease that affects the eyes
Prematurity or low birth weight
Difficult labor associated with fetal distress
Extended use of supplemental oxygen at birth
Infection of mother during pregnancy (examples: rubella, venereal disease, herpes, AIDS)
Developmental delays
Functional vision in only one eye
Maternal smoking, drinking or drug use during pregnancy
Physical illness or diseases
Eye disorders such as high refractive error, strabismus and anisometropia
Health conditions associated with ocular conditions
Taking a medication with ocular side effects
