Being a parent is probably the hardest job in the world. Between providing for their kid’s wants and needs, the primary concern of all parents is their children’s well-being at all times. Having said that, an aspect most parents overlook is the paediatric eye examination for their kids. This, of course, gives a higher risk for your kids to go undiagnosed for an eye condition which prevails only as it worsens, causing them more harm in the long run.
A misconception that parents have is that they should only bring their kid to an eye specialist for an eye examination when the kid is struggling with their vision. This couldn’t be further from the truth as the reality is that kids are still in their developing age hence every aspect of their health requires regular assessment to ensure if there is any problem like nearsightedness, early intervention for myopia treatment can benefit them.
As you continue reading, we will discuss more in-depth the process of a kid’s eye examination and how you can ease your kid before and during the procedure.
Kids Eye Exam: When Should A Child’s Eye Be Examined?
During the toddler age, your kid’s eye would be examined as part of their regular visit to the paediatrician, with simple vision screenings to check on their basic visual acuity. As many eye diseases begin developing as early as 2 years old, it is advisable for parents to start their kids off with a regular eye test for paediatric eye examination.
While at the kindergarten, eye exams are being conducted, parents shouldn’t take that as the only sufficient test that their kids need as it may not be as thorough as being examined by an eye specialist for kids.
Some of the signs that you should be alert for when it comes to your kid’s eye health are when you notice them frequently bringing objects or reading materials close to their eyes, seem to have short attention spans and start complaining often about discomfort or headaches.
The environment of the paediatric eye specialist that you bring your kid for an eye exam plays a role in ensuring the process of the visit goes smoothly. Understanding your kid’s nature and comfort level helps in choosing an eye specialist, such as the clinic’s space, the eye specialists themselves and their experience with kids, as well as the service they provide.
What to Expect During Your Kid’s Eye Exam at a Paediatric Eye Specialist Clinic
Before anything else, parents should be prepared with their kids’ medical history and notes of their observations along with their kid’s complaints about their vision. From the little things such as squinting their eyes, frequent eye rubbing or any eye habits, that information would help the eye specialist assess your kids during the eye exam.
The tests that are usually performed are to check for any signs of refractive errors like farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. Comprehensive eye exams for kids are done beyond their vision screenings to cover all aspects of possibilities related to eye diseases with the intention of providing necessary aids. The goal is to not only cater to their eye health and its need but to reduce or cure the condition from the early stage itself, thus regular eye check-ups with an eye specialist for kids are crucial.
If your kids are naturally introverts and struggle with social encounters, it is best to prepare them days ahead as many times as needed and feed them all the information needed to ensure that they feel comfortable and relaxed during the visit. Take into consideration that the eye exam for your kids may take between 1-3 hours. For toddlers, it is best to plan an appointment with an eye specialist for kids around nap time or mealtime to avoid meltdowns, making sure they are well-rested and fed.
Make Your Kid’s Eye Exam a Fun Experience with a Paediatric Eye Specialist
As you choose and plan for an eye test for your children, remember to create the process as exciting as possible for them to feel less pressured or fearful of the visit. Now that you’ve all the information, best to make an appointment with the most cosy and fun eye specialist in Kuala Lumpur for your child!