Pediatric Eye Care in Fort Worth

Your child’s eye health and visual clarity are important parts of their overall development. Regular annual eye exams can detect vision issues early, ensuring your child excels in school and daily activities.

Our award-winning eye care team, recognized by Walmart Wellness for Optometrist Excellence in Patient Care 2024, Best in Texas Magazine's Excellence in Medicine 2023, and Three Best Rated's Award for Excellence 2023, provides top-tier pediatric eye care.

Schedule your child's annual eye exam with us to ensure their vision and eye health are in the best hands.

How Often Should My Child Have an Eye Exam?

Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam at six months old, followed by another exam at three years old. Before starting school, around age five or six, they should have another comprehensive exam.

Once they begin school, it’s recommended that children have annual eye exams to monitor their vision and eye health. Regular exams are crucial for early detection and treatment of vision issues that can impact learning and development.

If your child shows signs of vision problems, such as squinting or sitting too close to screens, schedule an eye exam immediately.

Your Child’s Eye Care As They Grow

Birth to 24 Months

In the first two years of life, a child's visual development is rapid and crucial. At birth, babies have limited vision, primarily seeing blurry shapes and movement. By 3 months, they follow objects with their eyes and recognize faces. By 6 months, depth perception and hand-eye coordination develop, and babies can start reaching for objects.

Regular eye exams during this stage are essential to ensure proper visual development. Early detection of conditions like congenital cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity, and strabismus (misaligned eyes) can prevent long-term vision problems. Pediatricians often conduct initial eye screenings, but parents should schedule a comprehensive eye exam by an eye care professional at six months.

Parents can support their child's visual development by providing a stimulating environment. Encouraging activities such as playing with colorful toys, engaging in peek-a-boo, and reading books with large, bright pictures can help enhance visual skills. Ensuring proper nutrition, including adequate intake of vitamin A, also supports healthy vision.

Preschool: 2-5 Years Old

Preschool years are critical for refining visual skills and preparing for the academic challenges ahead. During this stage, children develop better hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and the ability to recognize shapes, colors, and letters. They also begin to understand spatial relationships and improve their depth perception.

Eye exams during these years are crucial for detecting conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye), which can be treated effectively if caught early. Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam by age 3. Regular check-ups allow us to monitor visual development and promptly address any issues.

Parents can support visual development through activities that challenge their child's vision, such as building with blocks, drawing, and playing catch. Reading together and encouraging exploration of their environment can also promote healthy vision. If a child shows signs of vision problems, such as squinting, sitting too close to the TV, or rubbing their eyes frequently, an immediate eye exam is warranted.

School-Age: 6 to 18 Years Old

School-age children rely heavily on their vision for learning and social interactions. Clear vision is essential for reading, writing, and taking part in classroom activities and sports. During these years, children may develop myopia (nearsightedness), which can impact their academic performance and overall quality of life.

Annual eye exams are vital to detect and correct vision problems early. Myopia, hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism are common issues that can be addressed with glasses or contact lenses. Eye care professionals also screen for conditions like strabismus and binocular vision disorders, which can affect depth perception and coordination.

Parents should encourage good visual habits, such as taking breaks during prolonged screen use and ensuring proper lighting for reading and homework. Outdoor activities are beneficial, as studies suggest they may help reduce the risk of myopia progression. Regular eye exams, combined with a supportive home environment, ensure that children maintain optimal vision and eye health, setting them up for success in school and beyond.

What to Expect at Your Child’s Eye Exam

When you bring your child to our local eye clinic for an eye exam, you can expect a thorough and child-friendly experience designed to ensure their comfort and optimal eye health. Our skilled optometrists specialize in pediatric eye care and create a welcoming environment to help your child feel at ease.

The exam begins with a review of your child's medical and vision history, including any concerns you may have about their vision or eye health. The optometrist will then perform a series of tests tailored to your child's age and developmental stage. For younger children, these tests may include assessing visual acuity with fun, interactive charts, evaluating eye alignment and movement, and checking for common conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye).

For older children, the exam will include more detailed assessments, such as refraction tests to determine the need for glasses and tests for color vision and depth perception. Advanced diagnostic tools may be used to examine the health of the retina and other internal structures of the eye.

Throughout the exam, our team explains each step in a way that is easy for children to understand, helping to ease any anxiety. After the exam, the optometrist will discuss the results with you, provide recommendations for vision correction if needed, and answer any questions you may have.

Regular eye exams are crucial for detecting and addressing vision issues early, ensuring your child's visual development stays on track. Trust our award-winning team to provide the highest level of care and support for your child's eye health.