How often should my child have an eye exam?

Children should have regular eye exams because vision can change as they grow. Many children should have an eye exam before starting school and then yearly, especially if they wear glasses, have a family history of eye problems, struggle in school, or complain of headaches, blurry vision, or eye strain.

 

What age should my child have their first eye exam?

A child can have an eye exam much earlier than many parents realize (at 6 months old). Even if your child does not know letters yet, an eye doctor can still check eye alignment, focusing, eye health, and whether your child may need glasses.

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Is a school vision screening the same as a full pediatric eye exam?

No. A school vision screening is helpful, but it is not the same as a comprehensive pediatric eye exam. Screenings usually check if a child can see clearly at a distance, but they may miss focusing problems, eye teaming issues, prescription changes, eye health concerns, or early signs of myopia progression.

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What are signs my child may need an eye exam?

Your child may need an eye exam if they squint, sit very close to screens, cover one eye, complain of headaches, avoid reading, lose their place while reading, blink often, rub their eyes, have trouble focusing, or have declining school performance. Some children do not complain because they think their vision is normal.

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Can vision problems affect school or reading?

Yes. Children use their eyes all day for reading, writing, screens, sports, and classroom learning. If a child has blurry vision, eye strain, focusing problems, or trouble using both eyes together, schoolwork may feel harder than it should.

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What is myopia in children?

Myopia, also called nearsightedness, means your child can usually see up close but has blurry distance vision. Children with myopia may squint, struggle to see the board at school, or need to sit closer to the TV or classroom screen.

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Why is myopia control important?

Myopia can worsen as children grow. Higher levels of myopia can increase the risk of future eye health problems, so the goal of myopia control is not only to help your child see clearly today, but also to help slow down how quickly the prescription changes over time.

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What myopia control options are available for children?

Myopia control options may include specialty glasses lenses, myopia-control contact lenses, orthokeratology, and low-dose atropine eye drops. The best option depends on your child’s age, prescription, eye health, lifestyle, and comfort level.

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What are Stellest lenses?

Essilor Stellest lenses are specialty eyeglass lenses designed for children with myopia. They correct your child’s distance vision while also helping slow myopia progression. The FDA authorized marketing of Essilor Stellest lenses in 2025 after reviewing two-year clinical study data showing they slowed myopia progression compared with standard single-vision lenses.

Are Stellest lenses a good option for my child?

Stellest lenses may be a good option for children with progressive myopia, especially if they are not ready for contact lenses. During your child’s exam, we can check their prescription, eye health, and risk factors to see whether myopia management lenses may be appropriate.

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Do regular glasses slow down myopia?

Regular single-vision glasses help your child see clearly, but they are not designed to slow myopia progression. Myopia-control lenses, such as Stellest lenses, are designed to correct vision and help manage how quickly myopia progresses.

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Are contact lenses an option for myopia control?

Yes, some children may be good candidates for myopia-control contact lenses. MiSight 1 day contact lenses are FDA-approved to slow myopia progression in children ages 8–12 at the start of treatment.

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Is my child too young for contact lenses?

Not always. Some children are very responsible with contact lenses, while others do better with glasses. We help parents decide based on the child’s maturity, hygiene, prescription, sports, and comfort.

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Can too much screen time make my child’s eyes worse?

Long periods of near work and limited outdoor time may contribute to eye strain and may be associated with myopia progression in some children. We recommend regular breaks, outdoor time when possible, and yearly eye exams to monitor changes.

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Does my child need dilating drops during the exam?

Sometimes. Dilation helps the doctor get a better view of the inside of the eye and can help check the most accurate prescription, especially in children. If dilation is recommended, we will explain why and what to expect.

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What should I bring to my child’s eye exam?

Please bring your child’s current glasses or contact lenses, insurance cards, a list of medications, any school vision screening results, and any concerns from parents or teachers.

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Does Bauer Eyecare offer pediatric eye exams in Colorado Springs?

Yes. Bauer Eyecare provides pediatric eye exams in Colorado Springs for children and families. We check vision, eye health, focusing, eye alignment, glasses prescriptions, and signs of myopia progression.

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Who sees children at Bauer Eyecare?
Dr. Pallini enjoys caring for children and provides friendly, thorough kids eye exams at Bauer Eyecare in South Colorado Springs, near Fountain.