When the new school year approaches, parents are busy checking off to-do lists, from buying school supplies to scheduling doctor visits. One critical item that should be at the top of the back-to-school checklist is a comprehensive eye exam for your child.
A back-to-school eye exam by a pediatric ophthalmologist can ensure your child’s vision is clear and healthy for the classroom.
In this post, we’ll explore why these vision checks are so important, when and how often kids should get eye exams, what to expect during a pediatric eye exam, and how ECVA’s pediatric eye care services in Western New York can support your child’s vision health.
Why Are Back-to-School Eye Exams So Important?
Clear vision is fundamental to your child’s success in school and beyond. Research shows that up to 80% of learning is visual, yet 1 in 4 children has a vision problem that can hinder their development. Many children don’t even realize they aren’t seeing well – they assume everyone sees the way they do. As a result, vision issues often go undetected, causing kids to struggle with reading, writing, and participating in class. .
Academic and Social Impacts: When a child can’t see the whiteboard or reading material clearly, they can easily fall behind in school. They may appear to have attention issues or lack of interest, when the real issue is poor eyesight. Beyond academics, vision affects social development too. Children with uncorrected vision issues might struggle in sports, have trouble recognizing faces or reading social cues, and could experience lower self-esteem.
Early Detection is Key: The sooner a vision problem is identified, the better the outcome. Some conditions, like amblyopia (lazy eye), can lead to permanent vision loss in one eye if not addressed early. If a lazy eye isn’t diagnosed and treated by around age 9 or 10, vision loss can become permanent.
That’s why experts urge parents to have their children’s eyes examined before they start school and regularly during the school year. Detecting issues like nearsightedness (myopia), misaligned eyes, or focusing problems early on means they can be corrected or managed before they significantly interfere with learning and development.
School Screenings vs. Comprehensive Exams: Many schools provide basic vision screenings, but these are not a substitute for a full eye exam. A school screening might catch obvious distance vision problems, but it often misses more subtle issues. In fact, the American Optometric Association (AOA) reports that school vision screenings can miss up to 75% of children with vision problems. Screenings usually don’t test for things like eye coordination, focusing ability, or eye health. A comprehensive exam by an eye doctor will evaluate all aspects of your child’s vision and eye health to catch issues a screening could overlook.
Bottom line: relying solely on school screenings might leave many vision problems undiagnosed. To ensure your child has the visual skills they need, a back-to-school eye exam with a professional is essential.
Signs Your Child May Have a Vision Problem
Children don’t always complain about vision issues, so it’s important for parents and teachers to watch for warning signs.
Some common behaviors and symptoms that could indicate an undiagnosed vision problem include:
Squinting or head-tilting
If your child frequently squints or tilts their head to see better, they may be trying to compensate for blurry vision in one or both eyes.
Sitting too close to screens or books
Constantly sitting very near the TV or holding books extremely close to the face can be a sign of nearsightedness or other focusing issues.
Frequent headaches or eye rubbing
Undiagnosed farsightedness or astigmatism can cause eye strain, leading to headaches. Rubbing the eyes often can also indicate visual discomfort or fatigue.
Losing place while reading
Children with vision problems might use a finger to track text, skip lines, or lose their place often when reading. Poor eye tracking or convergence issues could be to blame.
Avoiding close-up work or reading
If a usually curious child is avoiding reading, coloring, or homework, it could be because these tasks are visually challenging for them. Complaints of words moving on the page or blur may accompany this.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s wise to schedule a pediatric eye exam promptly. Often, a child won’t outright say they have trouble seeing because they may not realize their vision isn’t normal. Observing their behavior is key. A comprehensive exam can provide clarity and solutions if these symptoms arise.
When Should Kids Get Eye Exams?
Many parents wonder at what ages their child should have formal eye exams. The general consensus among eye care professionals, including the AOA, is earlier and more often than you might think. Your child’s eye health is important. Children’s eyes grow and change rapidly, and regular checks are crucial to ensure healthy development.
Here are the recommended guidelines for pediatric eye exams:
- Infants (around 6–12 months old): Yes, even babies should have their eyes checked! Pediatric ophthalmologists or optometrists can perform gentle tests to make sure an infant’s eyes are focusing properly and there are no early signs of issues. The AOA recommends a first exam at about 6 months of age to catch problems like congenital cataracts or eye muscle issues early.
- Toddlers/Preschoolers (ages 3 to 5): An eye exam at around age 3 is important to ensure the child’s vision is developing on track before they start school. At this exam, the doctor can often use fun, child-friendly tests (like matching games or picture charts) to assess visual acuity and check for problems such as amblyopia or strabismus (misaligned eyes).
- School-Age Children (6 and up): Annual eye exams are ideal once your child is in school. If your child has no risk factors and has had normal exams, every one to two years might be sufficient – but many experts, including the AOA, strongly encourage yearly exams for school-aged kids. Kids’ vision can change quickly, and yearly check-ups help ensure any change (like new nearsightedness as they grow) is corrected right away. A good rule of thumb: get an eye exam before each new school year begins. This way, you know your child is visually ready to learn on day one.
- Children with glasses or risk factors: If your child already wears glasses or has an eye condition, follow your eye doctor’s guidance – often this means yearly or even more frequent exams to monitor their vision. Likewise, children with risk factors (such as a family history of eye disease or who were born prematurely) may need more frequent checks.
By following these schedules, you’ll align with expert recommendations and catch any changes in vision early. It’s worth noting that routine pediatrician visits sometimes include a basic vision screening, but they are not as thorough as a dedicated eye exam. There’s no substitute for having your child’s eyes examined by an eye care professional who can dilate the eyes and do a full evaluation of eye health and vision function.
What to Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam
If you or your child are a bit anxious about an eye exam, it may help to know that pediatric eye exams are generally fun, friendly, and not uncomfortable. Eye doctors who work with children know how to tailor the exam to the child’s age so that it’s a positive experience. Here’s what typically happens during a comprehensive pediatric eye exam:
- A Kid-Friendly Approach: For younger children, the eye doctor will often use playful techniques to keep them engaged. Instead of the standard letter eye chart (which a toddler can’t read), they might use pictures or shapes for the child to identify. The exam may include asking the child to follow a toy or light with their eyes to check eye movement and alignment The goal is to make it feel like a game. Your child might even have fun!
- Checking Vision Clarity (Visual Acuity): The doctor or technician will test each eye to see how well your child can see at near and far distances (for older kids, this is where they read an eye chart one eye at a time). Don’t worry if your child doesn’t know their letters yet – symbols or child-friendly eye charts are used for little ones. This determines if glasses might be needed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
- Eye Alignment and Movement: The exam will include tests to ensure the eyes are working together properly. The doctor will check for any strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) or focusing issues. They might have your child cover one eye at a time, track moving objects, or wear 3D glasses to test depth perception. These tests are usually quick and game-like (e.g., “can you follow the light to feed the fish?”). Proper eye alignment is important to prevent amblyopia and to ensure comfortable vision.
- Eye Health and Screening for Issues: A critical part of the exam is evaluating the health of the eyes. The doctor will examine the front of the eyes with a light and maybe use special scopes or lenses to look inside the eyes. For many children, especially if it’s their first comprehensive exam or if something needs closer inspection, the doctor may use eye drops to dilate the pupils. This allows a thorough look at the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye to make sure everything is healthy. The drops might sting a tiny bit and will make your child’s vision blurry for a few hours, but it’s a safe and common part of a complete exam. (Sunglasses after dilation can help with light sensitivity on the way home.)
- Discussion and Next Steps: After the examination, the doctor will discuss the findings with you. If your child’s eyes are perfectly healthy, great! If a issue like nearsightedness is found, the doctor will talk about whether glasses are needed. They will also discuss things like limiting screen time, proper lighting for homework, or any other tips to keep your child’s eyes healthy. If treatment is needed – for example, glasses, eye patching for a lazy eye, or eye drops – the doctor will explain how and why. This is a perfect time to ask questions. Remember, no question is silly when it comes to your child’s health. The goal is for you to leave informed and reassured about your child’s vision.
Parents can rest assured: pediatric eye exams are relatively quick (often 30-60 minutes) and painless.
At ECVA and many eye clinics, doctors strive to create a welcoming, non-intimidating environment for kids. If your child is nervous, consider talking them through what will happen in advance (“the doctor will show you cool lights and maybe give you special drops that make your eyes see rainbows for a little while”).
By preparing them and choosing an experienced pediatric eye doctor, you’ll help ensure the visit goes smoothly. And the reward – clear vision and a successful start to the school year – is well worth it!
ECVA’s Pediatric Eye Care – Helping Your Child See Clearly
When it comes to your child’s vision, you want the best care possible. That’s where ECVA (Eye Care & Vision Associates) comes in. Our specialized team includes pediatric ophthalmologists who focus on children’s eye health – providing the gentle, expert care that kids need. ECVA is proud to have Dr. Steven Awner, MD as our dedicated pediatric ophthalmologist. Dr. Awner is a board-certified ophthalmologist with fellowship training in pediatric ophthalmology, meaning he has advanced expertise in diagnosing and treating children’s eye problems. From routine vision exams to complex conditions, he understands how to examine and care for kids in a way that makes them feel relaxed and comfortable. Having a specialist matters: a pediatric ophthalmologist can detect issues that young children might not be able to describe and knows how to engage little patients (from babies to teens) effectively during an exam.
Why choose ECVA for your child’s eye exams?
ECVA has been a trusted name in Western New York eye care for decades. We’ve been serving the community since 1997, and our practice includes a team of board-certified ophthalmologists, optometrists, and caring staff who are all committed to providing the highest level of care. For families in the Buffalo Niagara region, we offer something special:
Comprehensive Pediatric Vision Services
Whether your child needs a routine back-to-school eye exam, treatment for an infection like pink eye, or management of an eye condition, we have you covered. For example, if your child wakes up with the dreaded “pink eye” (conjunctivitis) that’s common in school settings, our doctors can provide prompt treatment and advice to stop the spread. If a vision problem is detected, we will discuss all the options – glasses, contact lenses (for older kids), or other therapies – to find what’s best for your child. Our goal is clear: to keep your child’s eyes healthy so they can thrive.
Kid-Friendly, Compassionate Care
A visit to the eye doctor doesn’t have to be scary. Our ECVA team takes pride in making children feel at ease. From the moment you walk in, you’ll find a welcoming environment. We use child-friendly exam techniques and explain things in simple terms to both parents and kids. Our staff is patient and trained to work with children who may be nervous or wiggly – we’ve seen it all! We want your child to have a positive experience so that taking care of their vision becomes something they look forward to, not fear.
Convenient Locations Across WNY
We know it’s important for families to have access to care close to home. ECVA has four Western New York offices that serve patients of all ages – including children. Our offices in Buffalo (Elmwood Village), Williamsville, Orchard Park, and Niagara Falls make it easy to find a location near you. Each office is equipped to provide pediatric eye exams. Dr. Awner and our other eye care providers rotate through these locations, so you can schedule at the office most convenient for you. We strive to offer appointment times that work for busy families – even during those hectic back-to-school weeks.
A Team You Can Trust
ECVA is not just about one doctor – we have a whole team dedicated to your family’s eye health. Our About Us page shares our history and mission: we treat patients like family and emphasize quality, individualized care. Western New York families have trusted ECVA for years, and we’re honored that so many parents turn to us for their children’s eye care. We stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in pediatric ophthalmology and invest in state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, so your child benefits from the best care available. When you come to ECVA, you can be confident that your child’s vision is in excellent hands.
Give Your Child a Clear Vision for the School Year
A new school year is full of possibilities – new classes, new friends, and new adventures. Make sure your child doesn’t miss a moment of it due to uncorrected vision problems. Scheduling a back-to-school eye exam is an easy but crucial step in your back-to-school preparations. It ensures that your child can see the board, read their books, and engage confidently in all activities. If it’s been a while since their last eye check, or if you’ve noticed any of the warning signs we discussed, now is the perfect time to act.
Ready to book your child’s eye exam? ECVA’s team of pediatric eye care specialists is here to help your child start the school year with optimal vision. We invite you to book an appointment at your nearest ECVA location for a comprehensive pediatric eye exam. It’s easy to get started, simply reach out to us via our online appointment request or call our office. Our friendly staff will book an exam before school starts. Don’t wait until problems arise, routine eye exams can make all the difference in your child’s academic performance and confidence.
Empower your child with the gift of clear sight. With healthy vision, there’s no limit to what they can achieve this school year! Schedule your back-to-school eye exam with ECVA today and let us partner with you in protecting your child’s precious eyesight. We look forward to seeing you and your little one soon – here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful school year with crystal-clear vision!
Optometrists at ECVA
Our team of Optometrists: Dr. David Styn, Dr. John Hammersmith, and Dr. Lauren Kalinowski. They each see school age children age 4 and above. They can perform back-to-school eye exams. We have one pediatric ophthalmologist on the ECVA Team (Dr. Steven Awner) but the 3 optometrists supplement the child eye care services provided by ECVA. Our optometrists provide routine eye exams for children, prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses, and manage various eye conditions that don’t require surgery. If a child needs more advanced eye care or surgery, an optometrist will often refer them to a pediatric ophthalmologist.
Ready to ensure your child’s vision is school-ready? Book an appointment with ECVA’s pediatric ophthalmology team now to give your child the clear advantage they deserve.