08/06/2025
Why Early Vision Care Matters
🧠 Did you know untreated vision problems can affect as much as 80% of learning? Even common vision issues like myopia or astigmatism can slow reading and math progress. Early detection prevents this.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) has a neat rule to remind parents of a series of three recommended early eye exams: Children’s vision 1-3-5. That is, your child’s first eye exam ought to occur before age 1, at age 3, and at age 5 before entering school. Your child’s optometrist can perform these comprehensive exams that assess visual acuity, eye health, and vision skills.
Early detection of vision problems is crucial to prevent lifelong problems. When problems are uncovered, a young child’s visual system is very responsive to treatment to reverse the problem. Later on, it’s far more difficult to correct eye problems that have already developed.
It’s especially important not to miss these eye exams in children who have a parent or sibling with an eye problem like strabismus (crossed or turned eye, where one or both eyes turn inward or outward) or amblyopia (lazy eye, where one eye is weaker than the other).
Visual acuity and eye health are assessed at the first two exams, and vision skills are evaluated for school readiness at age 5. According to the AOA, 15 percent of kids have a significant need for eyeglasses by school age to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Up to 20 percent of kids struggle with poor vision skills—focusing, eye alignment, or other eye movement issues.
To ensure your child thrives in school, you don’t want to miss any of these crucial exams with your optometrist!
📍 Book your child’s annual eye exam this August. Click the LINK IN OUR BIO to quickly and easily make your appointment!
