It’s important for your child to have their vision checked at least once between ages 3 and 5 years, even if they don’t show signs of eye problems. The doctor or nurse can help make sure your child’s vision develops normally. They can also help catch eye problems early.
Healthy eyes help your child grow, learn, and explore the world around them — and vision checks are a great way to help protect your child’s eyes.
What are common eye problems in children?
Doctors can treat some common eye problems if they're found early enough. For example:
Other eye problems — like being nearsighted or farsighted — can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Eye problems like these are called refractive errors. Read more about refractive errors.
Is my child at risk for eye problems?
Anyone can have eye problems — but if your family has a history of childhood eye problems, your child may be more likely to have them too. Be sure to talk to the doctor about eye problems that run in your family.
Eye Exams
Eye exams are part of regular checkups.
The doctor or nurse will check your child’s eyes during each checkup, beginning with your child’s first well-baby visit.
When your child is around age 3 or 4 years, the doctor or nurse will do a more complete eye exam to make sure your child's vision is developing normally. If there are any problems, the doctor may send your child to an eye doctor.
Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover vision screening for kids. Depending on your insurance plan, your child may be able to get screened at no cost to you. Check with your insurance company to find out more.
If you don’t have insurance, you may still be able to get free or low-cost vision screening for your child. Check these websites for free or low-cost eye care programs for children:
This information on childhood vision screening is adapted from materials from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Eye Institute.
Reviewed by:
Holly Russo
Digital Communications Specialist
National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH)
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