WHEN AND WHY YOUR KIDS NEED AN EYE HEALTH EXAM
As adults, we understand the importance of getting regular eye exams from your eye health professional — but what about your kids? We know that as parents, there are a million things you are worried about at any given time — are my kids eating enough, are they doing well in school, did Timmy just eat a crayon? Amongst all the chaos, though, it is important to make time for your children’s eye health. Here at Poudre Valley Eye Care, we are eye care professionals that have been helping the Fort Collins community for more than 30 years. In today’s blog, we are going to dive into at what intervals your kids need eye exams and why.
WHEN
Many parents rely on standard hearing and eye exams that are given at most public schools. While we agree that the eye health screenings at school are important and useful, children usually don’t even receive vision until they are in elementary school. Children are typically 6 to 7 years old by the time they hit the first grade. This is far too late for your children to have their first eye exam.
We recommend that the very first visit to an eye doctor be between the ages of 6 months and 1 year or just before they go back to school. This allows your family eye doctor to check in and make sure their vision is developing properly. Also, most eye diseases and vision problems can be treated more easily and effectively when detected early.
HOW OFTEN
After the initial eye health screening around 6 months, your child should see the eye doctor again as they are starting preschool and kindergarten (about 3 to 5 years old). After that, it’s recommended for them to have annual eye exams, just like adults. While they may get standard tests at the school every year, it’s best to be safe and take your kids to a professional eye doctor of your choice for their eye exams.
WHY
Regular eye exams are crucial for adults and children alike. Seeing your eye doctor can help you catch and treat eye diseases and vision problems before they get too serious. You’ll want to ensure that you don’t miss any developmental eye health issues with your children early on.
Not only that, but proper vision care can also help children succeed in school. If your kids can not see the board clearly from far away or have a hard time reading the words on the page in front of them, then they are going to have great difficulty learning. Make your children’s school experiences as easy as possible by making sure they have regular eye exams. If you are in the Fort Collins area, contact us at Poudre Valley eye care — we will take great care of you and your kiddos.
CHOOSE POUDRE VALLEY EYE CARE TO PRIORITIZE EYE HEALTH
At Poudre Valley Eye Care, we are family eye care professionals who have years of experience helping parents and their children succeed in school and prevent vision problems down the road. Schedule your child’s eye exam with us today!
Dr. Eric Torgerson
Owner at Poudre Valley Eyecare
Dr. Eric Torgerson is the owner of Poudre Valley Eyecare, and has been recognized for his contributions to optometry and his commitment to community health through various roles and accolades within the Northern Colorado Optometric Society and the Colorado Optometric Association.
Why Choose Us?
Our advanced technology and individualized care deliver results for patients of all ages. Our routine exams allow us to spot changes in your vision and allow us to treat those changes early. We have a comprehensive understanding of eye care, which means we can treat a wide range of conditions and chronic diseases. Our in-depth routine exams and customized treatment plans set us apart from the rest.
