How Frequently Should Children Get Eye Exams as They Grow?

As children grow and develop, so do their eyes. Regular eye exams are a critical part of maintaining overall health, detecting early vision issues, and supporting academic and developmental success. But how often should children actually be seen by an eye care professional?

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams for Children

Children may not always be able to articulate that they're having trouble seeing. In fact, many vision problems go unnoticed until they begin to affect school performance, behavior, or confidence. Routine eye exams can identify issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and even more subtle problems with eye coordination or tracking.

Additionally, some eye conditions, such as lazy eye (amblyopia) or crossed eyes (strabismus), are most successfully treated when caught early. Detecting these issues before they interfere with learning or lead to permanent vision impairment is one of the most important reasons for timely exams.

Recommended Eye Exam Frequency for Children

The American Optometric Association recommends the following schedule:

• First exam: Between 6-12 months of age

• Second exam: At least once between 3-5 years old

• Before kindergarten: Around age 5 or 6

• Annually after that: From age 6 and throughout the school years

Annual eye exams help track vision development and detect any changes early, ensuring that children have the clear, comfortable vision they need for reading, learning, and play.

Why Annual Exams Are Important

Even if your child passed a school vision screening or hasn’t complained of vision problems, they may still have underlying issues that only a comprehensive eye exam can detect. School screenings typically check for distance vision but don’t assess important factors like depth perception, eye coordination, or focusing ability.

Annual visits also give your optometrist the opportunity to monitor any changes in prescription or eye health and offer proactive care for conditions like myopia (nearsightedness), which is increasingly common among children.

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

Clear vision plays a vital role in your child’s academic performance, social development, and confidence. Scheduling an annual eye exam is a simple yet powerful step to ensure your child’s eyes stay healthy and their vision remains strong.

Contact InSight EyeCare to schedule a pediatric eye exam and give your child the visual foundation they need to thrive. Visit our office in Houston, Texas, or call (713) 462-2010 to book an appointment today.