As a parent, we have so many things we have to think about and remember when it comes to our kids. Sometimes we get so focused on the day to day activities, we do not always remember to follow through on other issues. When we have a healthy child, this is especially true for many parents. Thank you to ThinkAboutYourEyes.com and MomitForward.com for including me in this sponsored campaign about children’s eye exams.
Do You Know When Your Child Needs An Eye Exam?
We take for granted our kids are healthy until something happens that changes that whole idea. You probably take your children to their pediatrician once a year for their annual well check visit, right? Do you know your child needs an eye exam as part of their healthy checkup schedule? According to a National survey, only 2 in 5 or 40% of parents think their child needs an eye exam as part of their healthy checkup schedule. Interestingly enough, this is about half as many who think the same about an annual trip to the dentist (81%) or pediatrician (78%) are essential.
If you have a child under the age of 6, they are more likely to miss out. I was surprised to learn that according to the American Optometric Association (AOA), more than a third of parents have ever taken their child to the eye doctor. Mine all went at one for the first time, and have had at least a checkup each since then. My brother was born with Hyperplastic Vitreous and my mom always stressed how important eye exams are for kids. Because many parents are in the dark about when to take their child to see an eye doctor, 24% of them will wait until their child shows symptoms before seeking help.
I was absolutely shocked to learn 84% of parents say they would not see an eye doctor when their child started complaining about their vision. What is actually recommended by the AOA is that parents need to take children who do not wear contacts or glasses to the eye doctor every two years. If you are unsure of where to find an eye doctor for your child, you can visit the Think About Your Eyes website. Another area of eye care parents should be aware of is protecting their children’s eyes from harmful UV rays. When you are out in the sun, your child should have their eyes protected. You can learn more about this issue on the Vision Council website.
There are many great optometrists who provide professional, rigorous, and safe pediatric eye exams capable of diagnosing the entire spectrum of eye-related disorders in children – so don’t sleep on it! Get your child booked in now to give their eyes the attention they need.
AEKZ2 says
My nearest doctor is NATIONWIDE VISION in PEORIA, AZ 85382
Sand says
The nearest doctor to me is MARIO CABALLERO OD.
Beverly Metcalf says
The nearest eye Doctor to me is JOHN MARTELL OD. Thanks.
Susan Smith says
VISIONWORKS
3001 S 144TH ST, SPACE A11
OAK VIEW MALL
OMAHA, NE 68144
Stephanie Galbraith says
The closest one to me is VISION CENTER BROUGHT TO YOU BY WALMART.
Laurie Emerson says
My nearest eye doctor is JAY FULLER OD OPTOMETRIST-Biloxi MS
Rachel F says
SHAWNA HEDDINGHAUS OD is closest to me.
Sherry Conrad says
About 25 miles away in Little Rock JAMES EYECARE & OPTICS GALLERY
17711 CHENAL PARKWAY
jules m. says
closest to me:
MEGAN LATHAM OD
OPTOMETRIST
EYECARECENTER-MOREHEAD CITY
5100 HWY. 70 WEST
MOREHEAD CITY, NC 28557
Lisa V. says
PEARLE VISION FRANCHISE is about 10 minutes from my house.
Rosanne says
VISIONWORKS
7200 HARRISON AVE, SUITE F35
CHERRYVALE MALL
ROCKFORD, IL 61112
Robin Abrams says
The closest eyedoctor is HAROLD BALLITCH II MD
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
joe gersch says
VISIONWORKS
19 COLONNADE WAY, SUITE 105
THE COLONNADE AT STATE COLLEGE
STATE COLLEGE, PA 16803
Leigh Anne Borders says
Visionworks in Newnan is my closest location.
Jennifer Williams says
The closest to me is Todd Hartman
latanya says
walmart is the nearest shop
Erica B. says
Visionworks
Marty C. says
Visionworks at Ward Parkway Shopping Center
Tracy Melhinch says
ARUP K. CHATTERJEE, O.D.
AT OR NEXT TO VISIONWORKS
3547 MIDWAY MALL
MIDWAY MALL
ELYRIA, OH 44035
Danielle says
DANIEL WIESSNER
VISION SOURCE WALLA WALLA
614 E ALDER ST #1
WALLA WALLA, WA 99362
Carolyn G says
BONNIE FANELLI OD
OPTOMETRIST
EYECARECENTER, OD, PA-WILMINGTON
3901 OLEANDER DR
WILMINGTON, NC 28403
tina reynolds says
VISIONWORKS
640 APACHE MALL
ROCHESTER, MN 55902
Denise S says
Visionworks
Greeley, CO
Mary Cloud says
Robert Crotty or Visionworks
Amber Edwards says
Our kids get eye exams once a year usually right before school starts. We take them in to the eye doctor to make sure all is well so they have a great start to their school year with perfect vision.
beth shepherd says
ELLIOT M. KIRSTEIN OD
OPTOMETRIST
Kelly Hutchinson says
We have a local pediatric eye doctor we see for my daughter. She has an issue with her right eye and we visit him twice a year to monitor it.
Ashley C says
My nearest eye doctor is
ALVARO MORENO OD
OPTOMETRIST
Nicole Brady says
My husband and I both have vision issues but the school does testing so we never really gave much thought to how the kids eyes were. Come to find out, the “testing” at school isn’t good enough. We took them in to check and their vision had dramatically changed. They couldn’t see the board at school and it was certainly was effecting their schoolwork!
Danielle Harper says
I got glasses when I was in first grade and it was like a whole new world. I definitely need to get all of my girls in for appointments just to confirm everything is ok.
Brittney House says
KATHLEEN KASMER OD
OPTOMETRIST
Dawn says
Eye exams can be very important. You never know when you might need glasses!
Mistee Dawn says
I get an exam for my daughter at least once a year, sometimes twice. I have bad eyes and I am so scared that I will pass that on to her.
Sarah Marturano says
This is very interesting. We take eye doctors visits very seriously around here.
Liz Mays says
I definitely wouldn’t want to wait until my kids have symptoms. Eye exams are too important.
Kathy says
My husband, daughters and I all see the same eye doctor. We always going in once a year. I think my girls were three or four when they first when in for an eye exam.
Ellen Christian (@ellenblogs) says
That really is important to know. My daughter needed them in high school.
Mandie Stevens says
We had to get my 10 yr old glasses this year so she could see her sheet music for violin. Now we will go annually. We go to Target eye care.
Meagan says
Walmart for the win! Great tips on knowing what to look for!
Allie D. says
We do annual eye exams, because we have eye issues that are genetic. We go to our optometrist.
Amy says
my kids got their first exam at age four here. I think my middle child might need glasses and we will see about that at her wellness visit this summer.
Katy S says
CHRISTOPHER OLSON OD
Heather S says
MARIETTA VISION PROFESSIONALS
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
My kids get an eye exam ever year at their well visit. If he detects an issue, he will refer them to a specialist.
Melissa C says
DONNA KELLER
DR. GREG A. GRIFFITH
424 NORTH ST.
MEADVILLE, PA 16335
McKim says
SUE LOWE OD
OPTOMETRIST
Margaret Smith says
VISIONWORKS DOCTORS OF OPTOMETRY
SUCCASUNNA, NJ 07876
Sandy Klocinski says
VISION CENTER BROUGHT TO YOU BY WALMART
Christie says
AMERICA’S BEST CONTACTS & EYEGLASSES
Adrienne gordon says
mine is sears optical.