Clear vision and healthy eyes are important not only to a child’s overall health and well-being, but are also directly
related to their academic performance in school. While vision screenings given at a child’s school each year may
identify children who are at risk for problems with their vision, vision screenings do not test the overall health of
the child’s eyes.

A professional eye examination performed by a certified eye doctor tests vision, while also evaluating the child’s
eyes for more serious conditions and diseases. Our practice performs eye examinations and vision screenings for
children of all ages, including school-age children whose performance is dependent on strong, healthy eyes.

THE PEDIATRIC EYE EXAMINATION

A comprehensive eye examination is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of vision problems, injury and
disease. Early detection allows treatment to begin before the child experiences difficulties in school due to poor
vision, or before any permanent damage occurs.

Children’s eye examinations usually include testing for the following:
Visual acuity • Eye tracking • Focusing skills • Near vision • Distance vision • Amblyopia
Strabismus • Dyslexia • Color blindness • Slit-lamp examination • Peripheral awareness

These vision aspects are assessed through traditional eye charts, including charts that use special symbols
instead of letters for young children; retinoscopy, which shines a light into the eye to examine the retina; and
random dot stereopsis, which uses dot patterns to detect any differences between the two eyes.

Older children may undergo testing similar to those tests used for adults, including:
A visual field test • Dilation • Slit-lamp examination • Cover test • Retinoscopy • Refraction

Treatment After a Pediatric Eye Examination
After the exam and an accurate diagnosis a treatment plan will be developed that may include:
A prescription for eyeglasses • Medication • Vision therapy • Surgery

COMMON PEDIATRIC EYE CONDITIONS

In addition to detecting vision problems, our eye examinations check for common childhood conditions such as:
Amblyopia, or lazy eye • Strabismus, or crossed eyes • Glaucoma • Cataracts • Astigmatism
Nearsightedness, or myopia • Farsightedness, or hyperopia

Pediatric Eye Care Stamford CT | Greenwich CTThese conditions are often present at birth as a result of genetic
factors, and should be treated early to reduce the risk of complications. Treatment may include glasses to
improve focus or eye exercises to correct improper vision habits.

Our eye examinations also test for dyslexia and other learning disabilities that may affect the child’s ability to
perform well in school. Children with dyslexia have trouble processing letters and sounds, and must work hard in
order to read properly and efficiently.

It is important for parents to explain the importance of professional eye care and treatment to their children in
order to promote proper eye health and a lifetime of strong, healthy eyes.