Amblyopia (Lazy Eye); Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment

When Children Should Get An Eye Exam

Most children in the United States will receive a vision test by the time they are six years old. However, it is essential for children to have a thorough eye exam before this to ensure their eyes are developing correctly. Ideally, every child should have a thorough exam before they are a year old, especially if there is a family history of eye conditions such as cataracts, strabismus, and glaucoma. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends, aside from an initial check at birth, children should have their eyes checked by six months, again at three years old, when they reach school age and every two years after that. The only variations on this are when a problem, such as amblyopia, is detected, at which point it becomes a case-by-case basis and parents should follow the doctor’s recommendations.

Continue reading to learn about why early detection of amblyopia through an eye exam schedule such as this is so important.