Vision and eye health are crucial for development and as children get older visual skills become increasingly important for school.
Studies led some eye experts to estimate that up to 10% of pre-schoolers and 25% of school-aged children in Milpitas and San Jose have vision problems that need to be corrected.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) contends that all children should have their eyes examined during infancy between 6-12 months, at age 3 and again before starting school. Beyond that, the optometrist will recommend an appropriate follow-up schedule, but in general, a child who does not have vision conditions, corrective lenses or risk factors for eye or vision problems requires comprehensive eye exams at least every two years.
The recommended approach for children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses is to have their eyes examined at least every 12 months or according to their eye doctor’s instructions. If a child has an existing vision problem or risk factors, he or she may need more frequent trips to the eye doctor. Common risk factors for vision problems include:
- family history of eye disease
- history of eye injury
- premature birth
- developmental delays
- turned or crossed eyes
- other physical illness or disease
The AOA recommends that children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses should have their eyes examined at least every 12 months or according to their eye doctor’s instructions.
Friday and Saturday: Early appts available on request