Pediatric Eye Exams from University Eye Associates

The health and safety of our children is our priority. Routine eye exams ensure your child’s vision is on tract and play an important role in their development in school. University Eye Associates is committed to providing exceptional pediatric eye care for children in Charlotte, Harrisburg (Rocky River), and Davidson, NC. Learn more about pediatric eye exams below. 

What Happens during a Pediatric Eye Exam?

Pediatric eye exams are similar to adult eye exams. We ask about any vision or eye problems and take a thorough medical history to check for any risk factors for eye conditions. There are several tests that are performed including visual acuity, checking your child’s eye alignment, depth perception, color vision, pupils’ reaction to light, and refraction. Refraction allows us to assess if there is any need for vision correction –like glasses or contacts.

A full retinal exam is also completed to check for any eye conditions in the back of the eye, such as cancers. After your child’s eye exam, the provider reviews any eye conditions of concern such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and amblyopia.. Children should have routine eye exams to ensure good vision and eye health as they mature into adulthood.

Myopia Control

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is of the most common preventable visual impairments. Myopia control in children is important for the development and success in school. Many learning deficiencies can come from undiagnosed myopia. For example, poor vision can affect a child's ability to read books or information on a whiteboard. Early intervention for myopia is better for long-term vision development. If myopia is not well controlled, rapid progression can lead to a higher risk for developing other visually impairing conditions –such as myopic maculopathy, retinal detachments, glaucoma, and cataracts

Some options for myopia control include contact lenses, eye drops, and glasses. Two special contact lenses that are known to help slow the progression of myopia are MiSight and Orthokeratology lenses (Ortho-K). MiSight lenses are soft contact lenses that are worn during the day to correction vision. Orthokeratology is a special hard contact lens that is worn at night to reshape the cornea. Reshaping the cornea overnight provides sufficient vision correction during the day without the use of contacts or glasses.. MiSight and Ortho-k lenses are excellent for children in sports who want the convenience of not wearing glasses. These options also help slow the progression myopia.

How Often Should Kids Go to the Eye Doctor?

It is essential that children receive annual eye exams. As your child develops, their eye is also growing and changing rapidly, which may result in vision changes. Therefore, prescriptions often need to be changed, and new frames or contacts may need to be issued. Routine eye exams are also imperative to detect any eye conditions that require intervention or treatment early on. Children should start having routine eye exams once they start school.

Contact University Eye Associates for Pediatric Eye Exams

University Eye Associates is committed to exceptional pediatric eye care. Our eye care team has the skill and experience to treat children of all ages. Contact our office at Charlotte (704) 547-1551, Davidson (704) 896-9090, or Harrisburg (Rocky River) (704) 536-6042 to book your child's eye exam with an optometrist from our staff.