Eye Exams for Kids & Families

For parents who value clear vision and preventive care for their children, Grapevine Vision is the pediatric optometry clinic that keeps growing eyes on track. We achieve this through evaluating binocular vision milestones within a comprehensive eye exam. This ensures visual comfort in the classroom and on the playground. We offer appointment slots that match school-day and weekend rhythms, all in a playful and gentle space—so every visit builds your child’s visual confidence and your peace of mind.

When should you schedule an eye exam for your kid?

• Your child is having trouble seeing – Some symptoms are more obvious, like squinting or holding reading materials very close. But often the early signs are subtle and can even be misdiagnosed. Your child may be experiencing a vision problem if he or she does any of the following:
  • Avoids reading and close-up work like coloring or doing puzzles
  • Seems to work slow or not understand the task
  • Complains of fatigue or headaches
  • Has a short attention span or seems distracted
  • Covers one eye or tilts head when focusing on something
  • Shows sensitivity to light
  • Exhibits difficulty with coordination
• When they are preparing for school – School-readiness eye exams ensure visual acuity, binocular vision, and focusing skills support learning. Regardless of if your child is having trouble seeing, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a comprehensive eye exam before kindergarten/1st grade.
• Routinely between ages 6-18 years – If your child wears glasses or contact lenses, has a family history of eye disease, or plays vision-intensive sports, an annual eye exam ensures their prescription stays up to date and/or monitors for emerging myopia, binocular-vision issues, and eye health problems.

What should you and your child expect during the eye exam?

• We’ll start by chatting about your child’s daily activities, screen time, and any eye-related concerns you’ve noticed. This helps us tailor the exam – from the tests we choose to the advice we give.
• Your child reads letters or pictures on a chart so we can measure how clearly each eye sees.
• Using a phoropter, we evaluate for or fine-tune any prescription. It’s painless, takes moments, and tells us whether glasses or an updated Rx might help.
• We’ll engage in a few short, playful tasks that help to reveal how well the eyes align, move, and focus together.
• A gentle puff of air or a soft probe checks eye pressure – this is important for ruling out pediatric glaucoma. Both are fast and kid-safe.
• Every first eye exam will include use of dilation drops. These eye drops widen the pupils so we can view the entire retina and confirm the accuracy of any prescription. The eye drops sting briefly but are over quickly.
• Before you leave, we translate every finding into plain language:
  • We’ll suggest a timeline for the next routine visit.
  • You’ll get a written plan, tips for wear and care of glasses, and plenty of time for questions.
  • We set follow-up dates so nothing falls through the cracks.
• Please use this handout to prepare your child for their first eye exam.

What are some common eye disorders in children?

Vision can be affected by many things, including the shape of the eyeball, how the eyes and brain work together, and by other diseases or medical conditions. The good news is that many eye disorders can be successfully identified and treated.

The most common eye disorders are caused by the shape and alignment of the eyes, including:

• Strabismus – when the eyes do not align properly. This is often referred to as “crossed eyes.”
• Amblyopia – poor vision in one eye, sometimes referred to as “lazy eye.” It usually occurs before the age of eight. Infants born prematurely or with low birth weight are at greater risk.
• Refractive error – blurry images due to the shape of the eyeball or lens. These common conditions are easily treated with glasses or contact lenses. There are three types of refractive errors:
  • Myopia or nearsightedness is good close vision but poor distance vision.
  • Hyperopia or farsightedness is poor up-close vision. Distant objects can easily be seen.
  • Astigmatism is imperfect vision at any distance.