Pediatric Eye Exam

As a parent or guardian, it’s essential to ensure that your child’s vision is healthy. Because many eye problems start at an early age, regular pediatric eye exams are an important part of detecting issues early and preserving long-term vision.  

What to expect during a pediatric eye exam 

At our Farmington office, we are deeply committed to the health, well-being, and success of children. Our passionate, caring providers are trained in both conventional and functional medicine. Using the most advanced instruments, technology, and treatments, we will: 

• Assess your child’s vision 
• Evaluate the overall health of your child’s eyes 
• Assess any systemic health concerns 
• Accurately diagnose visual disorders associated with learning and everyday function 
• Develop a treatment plan together 

Benefits of pediatric eye exams 

Did you know that 80% of what a child learns in school is presented visually? When vision problems go undetected, it can put kids at a disadvantage, affecting learning, confidence, and social development.

Our pediatric practice focuses on improving, restoring, and optimizing your child’s vision by testing for visual acuity, eye health, and eye function. Our doctors, providers, therapists, and technicians understand kids. We provide kid-friendly, age-appropriate assessments and treatments and use the latest diagnostic technology to ensure accurate results.

For example, we use Optomap retinal exam technology to produce a comprehensive image of the retina without dilation. This procedure detects 40% more retinal conditions and ensures a more comfortable experience for kids of all ages. 

When should my child see an eye doctor? 

To ensure good vision, the American Optometric Association recommends children have their first comprehensive eye exam between 6 and 12 months old, a second exam between 3 and 5 years old, and then again before they start first grade. After that, exams should be scheduled annually. 

If you notice any signs of vision problems in your child, you should schedule an eye exam with a qualified pediatric optometrist. These signs may include: 

• Frequent eye rubbing 
• Squinting 
• Head tilting or turning 
• Difficulty reading or performing close-up tasks 
• Complaints of headaches or eye pain 
• Avoidance of activities that require good vision 

Medical and emergency eye care

We assess chronic and acute eye, corneal, and retinal conditions and can play a role in the management of systemic conditions such as diabetes.

Vision therapy assessment and treatment  

We specialize in evaluating how your child’s visual system develops and functions as a whole. This includes:

• Visual function (how clearly and comfortably your child sees)
• Visual information processing (how the brain interprets what the eyes see)
• Visual motor integration (how vision works with movement and coordination)
• Visual, vestibular, and auditory integration (how vision works with balance and hearing)
• Primary reflexes associated with visual development

Pediatric treatment and therapy 

We are the only office in the Farmington area that incorporates vision therapy and mind/body restorative disciplines, providing our patients access to a whole-body sensory approach. If we identify an issue during your child’s eye exam, we’ll develop and implement effective treatment plans that may include vision therapy, whole-body alternative approaches, or just a simple pair of glasses.

Our practice is structured around patient education and preventative care, and we always include parents and children in our diagnostic and treatment discussions. 

For pediatric patients who need eyewear, we carry a wide range of frames in our West Hartford office. 

Schedule a kid’s eye exam in Farmington 

Eye diseases can affect people of all ages, even children. Scheduling regular eye exams will enable early detection and prompt treatment of any issues before they cause serious damage. Schedule your child’s eye exam in Farmington today!