Our eyesight evolves throughout our lives, and children’s eyes are only beginning to develop, which is why regular exam of your eyes is important. Checking on the eyes every year allows the optometrist to identify and diagnose any vision or eye health issues that may develop. And it gives them a baseline for how much these issues have changed over a given period. 

The great news is you don’t have to search for “places to get eye exams near you.” You can just visit your local For Eyes to see a nearby Independent Doctor of Optometry. It’s that easy.

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Usage of digital screens is at an all-time high for people of all ages, impacting overall eye health.  Every day, children ages 8 to 18 spend over seven hours in front of digital devices. The American Heart Association suggests that two hours of screen time at most per day is optimal. That is five hours less than what children are spending on average in front of a screen every day.

Too much time on screens can cause digital eye strain which includes symtoms such as headaches, dry eyes and eye fatigue. Any time your child is using a computer, cell phone, tablet, watching television or playing video games, they are being expose to blue light.

How often should children receive an eye exam?

Here are the general guidelines of how often you should receive a comprehensive eye exam: 

6 months old: Your child’s first eye exam should be at 6 months old. By this age, they are developing hand-eye coordination skills by observing how objects move back and forth. Their eye movement skills may also be strengthening.

3 years old: As your child grows, their eyesight may change so they will need another exam when they turn 3.  At age 3, there is an increased risk of eye problems in kids, such as crossed eyes.

6 years old: Your child’s learning can depend on their vision, so take them in for an eye exam at 6 years old, or around the time they start school. During the school year, your child’s eyes may be tested with more visual activities than they are used to, including learning how to use a computer and reading. After age 6, your child should have a comprehensive eye exam every year.