Pediatric Eye Exams
Children's eye exams: quick answers
A school screening is not a complete eye exam, and a child who passed one may still benefit from a full assessment. Signs such as squinting, sitting close to screens or books, headaches or trouble seeing the board can have many causes, so each child needs an individual assessment. The optometrist chooses tests suited to your child's age. Bring current glasses, past prescriptions and screening results, and note concerns from teachers. Sudden vision changes or an eye injury need prompt medical attention.
Helpful next steps
A school screening is not a complete eye exam
School screenings can flag some distance-vision problems, but they do not evaluate every part of a child's vision or eye health. A child may not realize that what they see is different from what others see. An eye exam can help clarify concerns even if a child passed a screening.
When to ask about an exam
Talk with an eye-care professional if your child squints, holds reading material close, reports blurry vision or headaches, or has trouble seeing in class. These signs can have many causes and do not by themselves establish a diagnosis. Ask your child's doctor or optometrist about the timing of a full exam based on their age, screening results, symptoms and family history. If your child has sudden vision changes or an eye injury, seek prompt medical attention.
What to expect and bring
The optometrist will ask about your child's vision and health history and choose tests suited to their age and needs. These may include checking clarity of vision, how the eyes work together and the health of the eyes. Bring any glasses, previous prescription and screening results, and let the office know about concerns you or your child's teacher have noticed.
Next steps if nearsightedness is found
If an exam identifies myopia (nearsightedness), your optometrist can discuss appropriate options and follow-up. Learn about our Ortho-K and myopia control service; whether a treatment is suitable depends on an individual assessment. For appointments, see our Sugar Land, Webster and Downtown Houston locations.
