At What Age Should a Child Have Their First Eye Exam?

At Hunter Family Vision, our trusted optometrists in Leawood we believe every child deserves a strong visual foundation. Understanding when your child should have their first eye exam can help ensure they see their world clearly from the very beginning.
 

Why Early Eye Exams Matter

Children aren’t always able to tell you when something is wrong with their vision. Many vision problems don’t show obvious symptoms in early childhood, and kids often assume what they’re seeing is “normal.” Because of this, issues like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye turn), and focusing problems may go unnoticed without proper testing.

With comprehensive pediatric eye care in Leawood, early exams allow optometrists to check for normal visual development and diagnose concerns before they impact learning or social development.
 

At 6 Months Old

The American Optometric Association recommends a baby’s first comprehensive eye exam at six months of age. At this milestone, our optometrist evaluates how the eyes are working together, checks for signs of refractive error, and ensures the eyes are developing properly. Even though babies can’t speak, modern testing techniques allow optometrists to gather accurate information about their visual health.
 

At 3 Years Old

Your child’s next exam should take place at age three. During this stage, the doctor checks visual acuity, depth perception, eye alignment, and focusing skills. This is also a key time to catch issues that could affect preschool learning and development.
 

Before Starting Kindergarten (Around Age 5-6)

A comprehensive eye exam before entering school is crucial. Many learning tasks rely heavily on vision - reading, writing, hand-eye coordination, and recognizing letters and numbers. Conditions like farsightedness or focusing problems can make early learning unnecessarily difficult. Routine pediatric eye exams in Leawood help ensure your child has the visual tools they need to succeed in school from day one.
 

Annually Throughout School Years

If no issues are found early on, yearly exams help monitor the progression of the eyes as they grow. For children who wear glasses, have a family history of eye problems, or struggle with visual tasks, more frequent exams may be recommended.
 

Common Vision Issues Found in Early Eye Exams

Early eye exams can detect conditions such as:

• Nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism

• Amblyopia (lazy eye)

• Strabismus (eye turn)

• Focusing or tracking difficulties

• Eye health concerns such as congenital cataracts

When caught early, most of these issues can be managed effectively, preventing long-term challenges.
 

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam in Leawood, KS

Early and consistent eye exams are one of the best ways to support your child’s development. By following the recommended exam schedule, you can stay ahead of potential vision problems and give your child every advantage as they learn and grow. We are here to provide compassionate, comprehensive pediatric eye care in Leawood to ensure your child’s vision stays on track.

Contact Hunter Family Vision to schedule a pediatric eye exam and ensure they’re seeing their best at every stage of childhood. Visit our office in Leawood, Kansas, or call (913) 681-8555 to book an appointment today.