When it comes to your child’s vision, a thorough eye exam is about so much more than reading letters on a chart. At Whetstone Eye Care, we take the time to understand every aspect of your child’s visual system to support clear, comfortable sight. Our approach is designed to make each visit reassuring and tailored to your child’s unique needs.
Healthy vision is essential for learning, playing, and growing with confidence. That’s why early eye care is so important for catching problems before they interfere with daily life. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect during these important visits and how we help set your child up for long-term success.
Inside A Pediatric Eye Exam
Checking Vision and Prescription Needs
The first part of the exam is assessing how well your child can see. For older children, this means reading letters on a standard eye chart. If your child is younger and hasn’t learned letters yet, we use special picture charts designed to be simple and engaging.
If testing shows that vision isn’t as clear as it should be, a prescription for glasses may be recommended. Early detection is important because vision problems can have a big impact on learning, attention, and confidence. When vision is corrected early, children often find it easier to keep up in class and participate in daily activities.
Evaluating How the Eyes Work Together
Clear vision is only part of healthy eyesight. Children also need their eyes to work well as a team—a process called binocularity. During the exam, we check how both eyes focus together on objects up close, track movement, and maintain alignment.
Sometimes, children can see 20/20 but still struggle with eye teaming. Issues in this area can lead to headaches, eye strain, or frustration with tasks like reading and homework. If necessary, we’ll discuss options such as glasses or other strategies to support comfortable vision.
Examining Eye Health and Dilation
A thorough eye health check is also part of every visit. The tissues inside the eye are examined to make sure everything is developing normally and no hidden concerns are present.
In most cases, dilation drops are recommended. Dilation temporarily makes the pupils larger, allowing us to get a complete view of the internal eye structures. This helps detect any farsightedness your child may be compensating for without realizing it. The drops can cause blurry near vision and light sensitivity for two to three hours afterward. Disposable sunglasses are provided to help protect your child’s eyes until the effects wear off.
Additional Assessments
Your child’s eye exam may include tests for color vision, stereo vision (depth perception), and how the eyes move. Eye alignment is also checked to catch any early signs of conditions like lazy eye. These tests give a complete picture of your child’s visual abilities and can help spot any concerns early on.
Each appointment typically lasts about 45 minutes. Some children finish sooner, while others take a bit longer, depending on their age and comfort level. After the exam, we’ll discuss the results with you right away, including whether glasses are needed and any steps to support your child’s vision at home.
Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam in Naples, Florida
Healthy vision is essential to learning and growing with confidence. Whether it’s your child’s first exam or you’re coming in for a routine visit, our team is here to make the experience easy and reassuring.
To schedule an appointment or ask questions about pediatric eye care, visit us at 2640 Golden Gate Pkwy, Suite 113, Naples, FL 34105 or call (239) 908-4098. We look forward to caring for your family’s eyes and helping your child see their world more clearly.