Vision screening is important in identifying vision problems. During an exam, the doctor looks for eye disease  and checks to see if the eyes are working properly. Kids with a family history of vision problems are more likely to have eye problems.

When should your child’s eyes be checked ?

It is recommended by the The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Pediatrics that children have their eyes checked by their pediatrician by the following ages :

• newborn :  All babies should have their eyes checked for infections, cataract , glaucoma or defects before leaving the hospital. This is especially important for premature babies who were given oxygen for an extended period of time and babies with multiple medical problems
• by 6 months : during the child’s wellness visit, eye health, vision development and alignment of eyes should be checked
• from 1 to 2 years : photo screening devices can be used to start detecting potential eye problems
• at 3 to 4 years : eyes and vision should be checked for any abnormalities  that may cause problems with a later deveopment
• 5 years and older : vision in each eye should be checked separately each year. Your doctor may have your child see a pediatric opthamologist if problems are found with a routine eye exam.  A pediatric ophthalmologist is an eye doctor trained and experienced in the care of children’s eye problems.