Preparing Your Child for an Eye Exam

Going to any doctor can be a scary experience, but if you talk to your child and get him prepared, it doesn’t have to be. The eye doctor’s office isn’t a place to fear and it doesn’t inflict any pain. If you make this be known, your child may get through the exam easier. There are a couple of ways that you can prepare your child for an eye exam. Let’s take a look.

Describe the Experience to Her

Letting your child know exactly what will happen at the eye doctor’s office is one way to help prepare her for the exam. For instance, the exam will consist of reading eye charts that have letters and shapes that she will have to identify. Then there are the eye drops that will given to your child, but explain that it will not hurt. Letting your child know everything upfront allow her to trust you.

Tests that Are Given

The tests your child will undergo are various. For instance, he will be tested for myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, eye alignment and eye movement. At the end of the exam, any eye problems that have been found will be noted and if needed, a prescription for eyeglasses will be written for your child. If you kid is at least 8 years old, he can choose to have contacts instead of eyeglasses, but only if you are comfortable with it.

A common problem found in children and young adults is unequal vision between both eyes, which is known as amblyopia or lazy eye. Spectacles can’t get rid of this problem, but can be reversed if detected early on. This and other eye conditions can be seen in the early stages, so it’s important to give your child regular eye exams. Hopefully, this will develop into a habit that will carry over into adulthood.