When should your child see an eye doctor?

Q: I’m concerned about my child’s vision. When should I schedule her first eye exam?

"Most children should have their eyes examined by age 5 or before entering kindergarten. However, if there's a family history of poor vision or misalignment of the eyes, they should have examinations at a younger age," says Madhuri Chilakapati, M.D., a board-certified specialist in Pediatric Ophthalmology at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. "If your child is exhibiting vision problems, have their eyes examined without delay."

Dr. Chilakapati says warning signs can include a child sitting too close to the TV screen; squinting or tilting their head to see better; holding objects unnaturally close to focus on them; and crossing or drifting of the eyes.

"These problems may be corrected by simply getting them eyeglasses," she says. "Children usually respond well to eyewear when it's accurately prescribed. And by providing clearer images to the brain, eyeglasses help your child's visual development and may prevent amblyopia, sometimes referred to as 'lazy eye.'"

She says it's also important to schedule an exam if your child has persistent redness or "pink eye," excessive tearing or unusual sensitivity to light, as these symptoms could indicate an infection or glaucoma where an early diagnosis could be critical.

"Healthy vision is crucial to a child's educational success and social development. If you have concerns, have your child's eyes checked by a qualified pediatric ophthalmologist," concludes Dr. Chilakapati, who cares for young patients at Kelsey-Seybold's Fort Bend Medical and Diagnostic Center, Main Campus, and Spring Medical and Diagnostic Center locations.

Questions about your children's vision? E-mail questions to PediEyeDoc@kelsey-seybold.com.

Expert presentations available for your school, PTA or club. E-mail requests to PediEyeDoc@kelsey-seybold.com.