What vision tests should my child get?

What vision tests should my child get?

Robert K. Maloney (Ophthalmologist) gives expert video advice on: Are my frequent headaches due to vision problems?; What can cause temporary blindness?; What should I do if I lose my vision suddenly? and more...

It's really worth having your child examined by an eye doctor, preferably before the age of one, and certainly by the age of two to make sure the eyes are properly aligned, and to make sure the child's eyes are focusing properly. With proper alignment and proper focus, both eyes will develop normally and see normally. It'll avoid your child having a lazy eye. Now the way your child's eyes are tested depends on the child's age. As a one year old, you can't ask them to read an eye chart, and so the doctor will have him follow objects. He may take out his keys and have the child follow his keys, or he may have a toy or doll, something the child will look at. As the kids get older they can recognize pictures on an eye chart. We have picture charts with ducks or birthday cakes. Then, once they get to be about five or six, we can give them regular eye charts because they can read the letters.