Pediatric Eye Exam

An eye exam identifies problems with your child’s vision that could require corrective lenses.  It also screens for eye conditions that could threaten your child’s vision such as cataracts or strabismus.  Fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologist, Elena Nguyen, MD, at ENvision Eye Care performs comprehensive pediatric eye exams for children of all ages.  Arrange an exam for your child by calling the office in Foster City, CA or by booking an online appointment today.

Why does my child need an eye exam?

An eye exam is essential to check for any sight problems or eye conditions before they worsen and become harder to treat.  Especially in a child whose vision is still developing, checking for a need for glasses or treatment for an eye condition could potentially save their eyesight.  While your child’s pediatrician can check for obvious eye or sight problems, they can’t perform an in-depth analysis that a pediatric ophthalmologist like Dr. Nguyen can and often refer their patients to her when there is a concern for an eye problem.  Visiting ENvision Eye Care regularly for an eye exam is the best way to ensure that your child has clear vision and to determine if they have one of the many eye problems that could result in poor visual development.

When should my child have an eye exam?

Eye exams for children typically begin around age 4-5.  However, if you or your child’s pediatrician suspects that your child has a vision problem or eye alignment issue like strabismus, you should book an appointment at ENvision Eye Care immediately.

What does a pediatric eye exam involve?

When your child arrives for their eye exam, Dr. Nguyen and her staff will review their medical and family history and learn about any symptoms that they have that could relate to their eye health.

A comprehensive pediatric eye exam includes the following tests:

Visual acuity 

Visual acuity tests used for children are different from those used for adults.  Before children are able to read letters or numbers, their vision can be tested using shapes and pictures combined with a matching game.  If a child is very young (under age 2), their vision can be tested by using a target like a toy or flashlight.

Pupil reactivity

A bright light is shined into your child’s eyes to check the response of their pupils.  If the pupil in either eye reacts abnormally, it may be a sign of disease in that eye.

Sensorimotor exam

During the sensorimotor exam, Dr. Nguyen will assess how your child’s eyes are aligned and determine if their eye muscles are moving their eyes around normally.  This exam may include depth perception testing such as a 3D picture test.

Tonometry

Tonometry is used to assess your child’s intraocular pressure (IOP) which is the pressure inside their eyeballs.  During this test, a device called a tonometer is used to check the IOP.  This can be done with or without giving your child numbing eyedrops beforehand.  If a child is too young or uncooperative, Dr. Nguyen can perform this test without a tonometer.  If the IOP is high, there may be a concern for glaucoma.

Dilation and Cycloplegic Refraction

Eye drops are used to dilate or enlarge your child’s pupils so that Dr. Nguyen can carefully examine the backs of their eyes including the retinas and optic nerves for any abnormalities.  Dilated pupils are required for a cycloplegic refraction which is how a young child is checked for a need for glasses.  In a young child, the eye muscles that are used to focus on objects up close are very strong and constantly moving in reaction to light.  Because young children may not be able to understand or respond accurately when checking them for glasses, the eye muscles that move their pupils must be dilated and “frozen” or “cyclopleged” with eye drops in order for Dr. Nguyen to objectively determine what your child’s eyeglasses prescription would be.  If a child is not dilated or cyclopleged before they are checked for eyeglasses, they may appear to have more nearsightedness or astigmatism than they actually do.

The dilating drops given to children take 30-45 minutes to work and their effects last anywhere from 3-7 hours but can sometimes last several days.  These dilating drops are safe and routinely used in newborn babies.  Besides an enlarged pupil, dilation will make a child more light sensitive and up close objects may be blurry.  These effects will gradually go away on their own as the drops wear off but it is advised that your child stay in the shade and wear sunglasses until they do.

Please plan for your child’s first comprehensive eye exam to take at least 2-3 hours.

To avoid eye problems in your child, arrange an eye exam with Dr. Nguyen by calling ENvision Eye Care or booking an appointment online today.