Kids' vision
When should my child have their first eye exam?
School screenings are helpful, but they aren't a full eye exam. Here's the timeline eye doctors recommend.
Many parents assume a child's eyes are checked well enough at school or at the pediatrician's office. Those screenings are valuable, but they're quick checks designed to flag some problems. They don't replace a comprehensive eye exam.
The recommended timeline
The American Optometric Association recommends that children without known risk factors have comprehensive eye exams:
- Between 6 and 12 months of age — a first, baseline exam
- At least once between ages 3 and 5
- Before first grade, and then every year after that
Children with risk factors — such as premature birth, a family history of nearsightedness, lazy eye or eye turns, or a high or changing prescription — may need exams sooner or more often.
Why annual exams for school-age kids?
Children's eyes change as they grow, and some conditions, like nearsightedness, can progress quickly during the school years. A yearly exam helps catch changes early.
Signs your child may need an exam sooner
- Squinting, head tilting or covering one eye
- Holding books or screens very close
- Rubbing eyes often, or headaches after reading
- An eye that turns in or out
- Trouble keeping their place while reading
What happens at a kids' eye exam
Children don't need to know their letters. Vision can be checked with pictures, shapes, lights and instruments. The exam also looks at focusing, how the eyes work together, and eye health. Parents are welcome in the room.
- American Optometric Association — Comprehensive eye exams and recommended frequency
- American Optometric Association — Championing children's eye care
This article is general information and isn't a substitute for an eye exam or personal medical advice.
