Key takeaways:
Vision problems can affect children at any age, even as babies.
Children should have routine vision screens throughout their childhood and teen years.
Some children are at higher risk for developing eye conditions that can affect vision. These children may need regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist.
Your child isn’t born with perfect vision. In fact, newborns can only see large objects and faces. It takes years for the different parts of a child’s eyes to learn to work together.
Vision problems can develop at any age. Routine eye exams can make sure your child’s vision is developing well.
Let's take a look at when you should schedule eye exams for your child and what you should do if you think your child might not be seeing well.
There are certain moments and situations where a vision test is a good idea. Your child should have an eye exam:
As part of their regular well-child care (routine vision screen)
If they have a condition that puts them at greater risk for developing low vision
If there’s a concern about their ability to see
A routine vision screen is a vision test that checks for trouble seeing. It’s called a “vision screen” because experts recommend it for all children, even if they don’t have low vision. Healthcare providers do vision screens in their office as part of your child’s yearly checkup.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children have a vision screen:
Every year, from 3 to 6 years old
At age 8, 10, and 12
Once during their mid-teen years (usually 15 years old)
At all checkups, your child’s healthcare provider will do a basic eye exam, too. They will also ask if you have concerns about your child's vision. If you do have concerns they will do a vision screen (if it hasn’t already been done). They might also ask your child to see an eye doctor for a complete eye exam and full vision testing.
Vision screens are especially important for young children. That's because their vision is still developing. Untreated vision problems in young children can lead to lifelong low vision.
Studies show only 60% of children between 3 to 5 years old get a vision screening. So it’s important to follow up with your child’s healthcare provider or an eye doctor to make sure your child gets screened on time.
Some conditions can affect vision, including:
Trauma to the eye or brain
Conditions that affect how part of the eye develops
Conditions that can lead to amblyopia, like a congenital cataracts
Some neurologic and genetic conditions
Exposure to certain infections before birth
Exposure to certain medications, like growth hormone
If someone in your family has a history of amblyopia, your child is more likely to develop it.
If your child has one of these conditions, their healthcare provider may refer your child to an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist can fully evaluate your child’s hearing with more precise tools. Their tools can check vision in children of all ages, even young babies.
Vision problems can develop at any age. Your child may be able to tell you something has changed about their vision. But children who aren’t verbal won’t be able to tell you they’re having changes in their vision. And some children won’t realize they have changes in their vision. So you can’t depend on your child to tell you if they’re having trouble seeing.
Some other signs your child may have trouble seeing include:
Eyes that don’t follow objects (especially in young infants)
Eyes that look misaligned (crossed or turned out)
White or gray color in the pupil
Droopy eyelids
Unusual eye movements
There are several types of vision screening tests that your child’s healthcare provider will use:
Photoscreener: A photoscreener is a machine that gives information about your child’s vision and eye health. There are many types of photoscreeners. To use a photoscreener, your child only needs to look at an object in the room while the machine does the rest.
Visual acuity chart: A visual acuity chart (or eye chart) has letters, shapes, or objects. The sizes of these objects start larger and then get smaller. Your child stands a certain distance away from the chart and reads each letter or object. To complete this screen, your child has to be able to name the objects, shapes, or letters on the chart. This screen isn’t a great option for some kids, which is why the photoscreener is helpful.
Eye exam: As part of your child’s eye exam, your child’s healthcare provider will examine your child’s eye using an ophthalmoscope, a type of instrument. They will also check your child’s pupils, eye alignment, and eye movements. An eye exam doesn’t test your child’s vision but gives an overall picture of eye health.
Children should have their vision checked throughout their childhood and teenage years. Your child’s healthcare provider will do an eye exam and vision screen at your child’s checkups. Some conditions can affect your child’s vision. If your child has one of these conditions, your child may need to see an ophthalmologist for eye exams.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care.
Black, L. I., et al. (2019). Vision testing among children aged 3–5 years in the United States, 2016–2017. National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief No. 353.
Bradfield, Y. S. (2013). Identification and treatment of amblyopia. American Family Physician.
Bregman, J., et al. (2022). Pediatric low vision. EyeWiki.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Fast facts of common eye disorders.
Gudgel, D. (2021). Eye screening for children. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
HealthyChildren.org. (2016). Warning signs of vision problems in infants & children.
National Eye Institute. (2022). How the eyes work.
Silbert, D. I., et al. (2021). Photoscreening. EyeWiki.
Simon, G. R., et al. (2016). Visual system assessment in infants, children, and young adults by pediatricians. Pediatrics.
Vimont, C. (2022). All about the eye chart. American Academy of Ophthalmology.