Eye Exams,Pediatrics

Your Premier Vision Center in Ogden, UT

At Country Hills Eye Center, we are proud to be the leading vision center in Ogden, UT, providing superior vision care to help you achieve excellent eyesight. As a parent, we understand that you want the very best for your child, and that goes for all aspects of health—including vision. Many parents wonder when is the proper time for their child to have a vision test. Country Hills Eye Center is pleased to provide the following information on when your child should have their first eye exam, and what to expect during your visit.

When Should My Child Have An Eye Exam?

According to the American Optometric Association, it is recommended that children have their first eyesight test at six months old. While this initial exam will not be as comprehensive as future exams when the child is older, it is still very important for your child’s vision. Your vision center in Ogden, UT will check to ensure that your child’s eyes are healthy, that his or her eyesight is developing properly, and that there are no problems that might interfere with the further development of their vision. After this initial exam, children should receive exams at age 3, and again just before entering kindergarten or first grade. After that, patients should receive eyesight tests every one to two years.

Preparing Your Child For An Eyesight Test

It’s understandable that very young children may have apprehension about visiting the eye doctor for the first time. However, you can help your child feel at ease and comfortable by preparing him or her for what an eyesight test will be like. If your child is old enough to understand what’s happening, sit down with him or her and explain what the doctor will be checking for, what your child may be asked to do (such as identifying letters or shapes from a microscope), and how there is nothing to be afraid of. An eyesight test does not cause any pain. If your Ogden, UT vision center needs to put eye drops in your child’s eyes, they might not like the feeling at first, because it may be cold or unfamiliar. However, this feeling should only last for a few seconds.

The Purpose Of Vision Tests in Ogden, UT

Remember, early diagnosis is critical in treating eye conditions early and maintaining optimal vision. The purpose of vision care and vision tests is to catch eye problems early in order to give your child the best chance at perfect eyesight. Here is a short list of some things we will check during a vision test:

  • How the eyes move
  • The alignment of the eyes and whether they are lined up properly
  • How the eyes react to light and darkness
  • For conditions such as astigmatism (where an eye isn’t properly shaped and vision is blurry as a result), amblyopia (where one eye is weaker than the other), nearsightedness, and farsightedness.

Book An Appointment With Your Ogden, UT Vision Center!

At Country Hills Eye Center, we are committed to providing the best vision care in Ogden UT resulting in perfect and healthy eyesight for each of our patients. We encourage you to bring in your child for a vision test to ensure that his or her eyesight is healthy and developing properly. Schedule an appointment with your Ogden, UT vision center today! We look forward to seeing you and your child in our office soon!