Recommended Examination Frequency For the Pediatric Patient
Patient Age Examination Interval
Birth to 24 Months At 6 months of age
2 to 5 years At 3 years of age
6 to 18 years Before first grade and every two years thereafter
*Children considered to be at risk for the development of eye and vision problems may need additional testing or more frequent re-evaluation.
York Family Eyecare recognizes the special needs of children. Dr. Pelletier will gladly assess the vision of infants through two years of age at no charge. He is able to assess how well an infant is focusing using both eyes and using a scope to assess how well the infant is seeing, as well as the general health of the eyes. This exam can be done with the child securely in its parent’s arms.
It is extremely beneficial for all children to have a comprehensive eye exam before starting kindergarten. This is so important, that Dr. Pelletier volunteers at local schools to do visual screenings of children entering kindergarten. Learning is very demanding and visually complex. Issues beyond how well a child sees can affect their learning. For example, the ability of the eyes to work together and the amount of effort that requires can greatly affect a child’s ability to learn to read.
It is recommended school age children have yearly eye exams right up through college. So much can change in a year, especially with the extensive use of computers. Sports also factor into visual needs as does the visual changes caused by normal growth and development.
If your child is having learning difficulties, it is very important to have their eyes examined. Many learning difficulties can be overcome by the use of glasses and/or visual training.
"Good Vision Throughout Life" www.aoa.org American Optometric Association n.d. Web. 20 April 2010
