Thaddeus Wontor, OD, Eye Center, Southwest Health
“When should my child have their first eye exam?” “Has the milestone already passed?”
It’s a question Eye Care professionals receive frequently – when should my child have their first eye exam? Among the many health decisions parents face in the early years of their children’s lives, an official trip the eye doctor’s office often occurs retroactively, after a problem has been identified by a parent or teacher.
Optometrist, Dr. Thaddeus Wontor, shares his insight into pediatric eye exams. Dr. Wontor is a native of Wisconsin with a passion for making rural eye care great. Specializing in both optometry and ophthalmology, his main role in the Eye Center is primary eye care, including treating chronic conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. He co-manages with many local ophthalmology surgeons for cataract surgery and fits a variety of contact lenses.
Dr. Wontor outlines his recommendations as an optometrist for parents below.
While annual vision assessments with the pediatrician or screenings at school are vital for discovering serious eye disease and dysfunction, they may not fully reveal a child’s true visual status. Studies have shown that nearly 80% of learning in early life occurs visually – with so much riding on their eyes, optimal visual health can be paramount to your child’s well-being.
A child’s eyes are usually examined in the first few days after they’re born, but the observations are brief and searching only for obvious and serious signs of disease. A baby’s vision develops quickly, and within a few months, a normal development results in sharp, clear vision, with both eyes working together to relay images to the brain.
However, due to many unforeseeable factors, problems can and do arise, either with issues in refractive error such as farsightedness and nearsightedness, or in strabismus, where the two eyes struggle to work together. The American Optometric Association, realizing the importance of this stage of development, advocates a first child’s eye exam as early as six months of age. There are certain eye care professionals uniquely interested in providing care at this life stage, like many of the providers at Southwest Health’s Eye Center.
Perhaps the most important moment for examining vision is just prior to starting school. According to a study from the American Academy of Optometry, up to one in five preschool children have an undiagnosed vision problem, and one in four school age children need or should be wearing corrective lenses.
Comprehensive eye exams with an optometrists starting at age four is a great time to establish your child’s visual baseline, as the years immediately following this can be full of changes for their eyes, just as it can be for the rest of their development.
Many of the issues listed above – prescription-related changes, eye turns, and other eye diseases, if caught and managed early, can drastically improve a child’s chances of optimum vision later in life. The truth is a child’s experience in our modern world is dramatically different than it was even two to three decades ago. The use of screens has transformed our reality, and young children’s visual demand for screen use has soared. Correction, either in the form of glasses, contacts, or vision therapy, can be vital in navigating this new status quo.
The best time to schedule that first eye exam is earlier than later, either with a pediatric eye care specialist before the pre-K years, or with a primary care eye care provider as soon as school begins.
After the eye exam, children may be prescribed glasses for the first time!
Southwest Health’s Eye Centers are excited to announce a Back-to-School Eye Sale, offering parents the opportunity to purchase a second pair of glasses for their children ages 18 and under at 50% off. This promotion runs from August 1 to September 30, helping families prepare for the new school year.
The sale includes 50% off a second pair of kids’ glasses or sunglasses at any Southwest Health Eye Center. This offer is perfect for dealing with everyday wear and tear, accidental damage during sports, or providing protection with blue light blocking lenses. Every pair of glasses from Southwest Health comes with a one-year warranty.
It’s recommended children get their eyes tested at the start of school, as an eye exam is the only way to ensure children see clearly and can fully participate with their peers. While most children can pass a vision test at school, this doesn’t screen for more severe problems like myopia, lazy eye, cross-eye, or misaligned eyes. Scheduling a yearly eye exam can help give parents peace of mind that children have all the tools they need to succeed, in and out of the classroom.
The old adage rings true – prevention is the name of the game. If it’s time to consider that first exam, The Eye Center at Southwest Health is here to help. Give Southwest Health’s Eye Center a call at 608-342-2020, to schedule your child’s eye exam today. Southwest Health’s Eye Center has convenient locations in Platteville, Lancaster, and Darlington making it easy for patients to schedule an appointment when and where it’s convenient for them!
