Pediatric Eye Care

As a parent, scheduling an eye appointment for your child early in their younger years can determine if they might be suffering from vision problems. At Vistasite Eye Care of Sheepshead Bay, Stanislav Ilyusha, OD, and the experienced optometry team provide eye exams and vision correction for children of all ages. Call the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood office in Brooklyn, New York, or use the online tool to schedule your child’s appointment today.

When should my child get pediatric eye care?

Your child should get regular eye exams, even if they don’t show signs of vision problems. Eyesight can change with age. 

It’s normal for your newborn to have blurry vision, and their pediatrician checks for normal blink and pupil response. You might seek an optometrist’s evaluation if your child was born prematurely, has signs of eye disease, or has a family history of childhood eye disease. 

At 6-12 months, your child’s eyes should be assessed for healthy alignment and movement. Between 12 and 36 months, your child benefits from a photoscreening test that can identify problems like lazy eye, called amblyopia. 

When your child is between the ages of 3 and 5, they benefit from a vision check. During this check, your optometrist can identify myopia, or nearsightedness, and farsightedness. After your child reaches age 5, they benefit from regular eye exams if they have vision problems or misaligned eyes. 

Why is pediatric eye care important?

Your child’s vision is critical to their physical and social development and their learning. Vision problems can lead to poor school performance and lower self-esteem. Early vision care promotes healthy vision, which means your child develops visual acuity, proper eye teaming, and correct tracking skills. 

What eye problems does pediatric eye care address?

The most common problem in children is myopia or nearsightedness. Eyeglasses correct this vision issue. Children may also have problems like:

• Misaligned eyes, or strabismus
• Lazy eye, or amblyopia
• Other vision issues like hyperopia or astigmatism
• Focusing problems

Early identification and treatment for these problems protect your child’s vision. 

Does pediatric eye care include comprehensive eye exams?

If your child has failed a vision screening, has symptoms of a vision problem, or has developmental delays or a learning disability, they can benefit from a comprehensive eye exam. 

During this exam, your provider diagnoses any possible eye disease in your child. They use eye drops to dilate the pupil so the structures within the eye are more visible.

If your child is due for an eye exam or is displaying vision problems, make an appointment at Vistasite Eye Care of Sheepshead Bay. Call today or use the online tool to book.