How Often Should Children Get Eye Exams?
Most parents underestimate how often children need eye exams — and how quietly vision problems can interfere with learning.
The Recommended Schedule
First comprehensive exam before kindergarten. Checks for alignment issues, refractive errors, and early signs of amblyopia — the #1 undiagnosed learning barrier.
Annual exams recommended, especially if a child is at risk for myopia or has a family history of vision problems.
Why Can't School Vision Screenings Replace Eye Exams?
School screenings check basic visual acuity at a set distance but miss many important conditions — including farsightedness, eye alignment problems, depth perception issues, and early myopia. A comprehensive eye exam evaluates the full health and function of your child's eyes.
Signs Your Child May Need an Eye Exam Sooner
- Squinting or tilting their head to see
- Sitting very close to screens or the board
- Frequent headaches or eye rubbing
- Losing their place while reading
- One eye turning in or out
- Complaints that things are blurry
If your child shows any of these signs, schedule an exam promptly — don't wait for the annual schedule.
Book Your Child's Eye Exam in Mill Creek
We see children 5 and older at Mill Creek Family Eye Center. Most vision plans cover pediatric exams.
Book a Pediatric Eye Exam