Children's Eye Exams

CHILDREN'S EYE EXAMS IN SALISBURY, NC

Comfortable, Quick, & Convenient


Who can remember the last time their child was excited about getting an eye exam? At Salisbury Eyecare & Eyewear, we work hard to make sure that every appointment your child has with us is a memorable one. From our waiting room to the exam chair, we will provide your child with an exceptional experience that caters to their needs while keeping them relaxed and comfortable.

By booking your child for an eye exam, you’re setting their vision up not just for success in school and sports; you’re giving them the tools they need to excel at everything they put their eyes on!

Don’t wait to start your child’s eye care journey; please book their appointment today!




Why Are Children’s Eye Exams Important

Right from birth onwards, your child’s eyes are constantly developing. When they’re just born, they have a limited scope of vision, and mostly can only see lights and vague shapes. As they grow older, their vision will expand; but as this happens, the risk of developing eye issues rises as well.

Some of the most common eye issues children experience are myopia (nearsightedness), amblyopia (lazy eye), and strabismus (crossed eyes). But how do you spot some of these issues if your child isn’t able to communicate them properly?


Spotting Problems In Your Child’s Vision

As a parent, you’re your child’s number 1 resource for practically everything.

You teach, you cook, and you’re the first “healthcare provider” they ever meet. It’s a stressful job, but it’s one of the most rewarding. So, what do you need to know so you can spot your child’s vision problems before their vision is damaged?

If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, they may be experiencing a vision issue:

  • Constant eye rubbing

  • Difficulty seeing things at a distance

  • Difficulty focusing on projects right in front of them

  • Difficulty playing sports and other games with friends

  • Consistent squinting

  • Regular headaches

  • Difficulty reading


When Should Your Child Have An Eye Exam?

Excellent eye care is a journey, not a destination. Because of this, we recommend a series of eye exams throughout your child’s life to ensure they’re achieving their best possible vision and eye health.


Infancy

It’s best to start encouraging great eye care early in your child’s life. While they may be too young to develop any noticeable eye issues, we still recommend your child undergo a comprehensive eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age.


This eye exam ensures their eyes are developing normally and helps catch any problems that could affect their vision, no matter how acute the problem may be.

Pre-School

Your child’s next eye exam should take place between the ages of 3 and 5.

Eye issues like myopia, strabismus, and amblyopia usually develop around this age, so it’s important to spot them and initiate treatments your child may need to preserve their vision.

School-Age

We recommend your child to have annual eye exams from the 1st grade onwards. This period is a critical point in your child’s eye development as they begin relying on their vision more to learn, react, and even play with friends.

By monitoring your child’s vision as they grow, we can help preserve their sight into adulthood and beyond!

What To Expect From Your Child’s Exam

We help take the stress out of eye exams! Parents are welcome to enjoy a cup of coffee while waiting for their child’s appointment, and children are free to play with our very own LeapPad (disinfected after every use for your child’s safety)!


After a short wait, Dr. Denton will kindly escort you and your child to the exam room. Here, she will:


Chat About Your Child’s Eye Health History

Our very first step for every eye exam is a quick but detailed discussion regarding your child’s eye health history, overall health history, and family health history. This chat will help Dr. Denton orientate the exam to fit your child’s needs.

Please feel free to ask any questions or address any concerns before starting with the rest of the exam! We love getting input from our patients, so the more information you can provide, the better! Once we’ve confirmed your child’s medical history is up to date, and we’ve addressed all of your concerns, we’ll move forward with the rest of the exam.


Perform A Visual Acuity Test

You’ve probably heard this one before: “Number 1, or number 2?”

Visual acuity tests are how we’re able to determine your child’s prescription for both contact lenses and traditional eyeglasses. One of the most common tools used during this part of the exam is a phoropter, the fancy piece of technology designed to compare different lenses to determine your child’s prescription.

Assess Your Child’s Eye Health

Once we’ve determined the strength of your child’s prescription, the next step is to assess their eye health for signs of disease. Many eye diseases develop asymptomatically, meaning that the only way to catch them is through a comprehensive eye exam.

On top of this, we check aspects of your child’s overall health. Health issues like diabetes can put your child at risk of developing a range of eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and glaucoma.

Provide Medications, Prescriptions, Or Other Recommendations

Finally, at the end of the exam, Dr. Denton will provide her findings and give you her prescriptions and recommendations for maintaining your child’s eye health. If they need glasses, we will love to help them pick out a pair of frames that suit their needs and lifestyle!

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