When Should Children Begin Getting Eye Exams?

Aug. 24, 2009— -- Question: When should children begin getting eye exams?

Answer: The timing for a child to have their first eye exam is interesting, and it's interesting in such that there are little bit of differences of opinion. The American Academy of Ophthalmology thinks that a child can have a first full eye exam about five years old and beyond because they're being screened by their general pediatrician and schools tend to be for that. The American Academy of Optometry feels that it can be younger and there are several laws either on the books or being proposed in different states for having exams at a younger age with an eye doctor, whether an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.

My personal opinion is I think that it's a good idea before the age of three a child has a good full eye exam to pick up any of the possible vision problems that can be missed at that age.