Children's Eye Exams

At Linden Optometry, we provide eye exams for children ages 1 and up, 7 days per week.  Walk-ins are accepted, but for faster service, please schedule an appointment.  

We also provide no-cost InfantSEE Exams for infants ages 6 months to 12 months, by appointment only. 

When Should My Child Have an Eye Exam?

The Exam before Age 1

The American Optometric Association and California Optometry Association recommend that your child have his or her first eye exam by an optometrist at six months of age. Why?  Because your optometrist will examine the eyes for disease and normal eye structure development.  Infants will be checked for possible signs of amblyopia (lazy eye), crossed eyes, and other focusing problems.  Early detection is often critical in preventing vision problems that have life-long effects.  

The Exam at Age 3

At age 3, your child's visual acuity and eye health will be assessed.  Eye movement skills, focusing and binocular vision skills (the ability of the two eyes to work together as a team) will be evaluated.  The eyes will again be checked for warning signs of amblyopia, which is most responsive to treatment if diagnosed by the age of 3.  

The Exam at Age 5

At age 5, your child should be examined to determine the readiness of vision skills for school.  An estimated 10% of children have a significant need for eyeglasses to treat near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism.  Another 15-20% suffer from poor vision skills -- focusing, eye alignment, or other eye movement skills.  Sending a child to school with undetected vision problems can lead to difficulty with learning and frustration in school.  

Since vision changes can occur without you or your child noticing them, your child should visit the optometrist at least every two years, or more frequently if specific problems or risk factors exist.