The early years of childhood come with a lot of questions—especially when it comes to vision. Many parents assume their child’s eyesight is fine simply because they don’t complain, but kids rarely know how to explain what they see. Subtle issues can quietly affect learning, attention, and confidence, making early eye care more important than ever.
As Dr. Samantha Reynolds explains, children’s eyes adapt to whatever they use the most. With more screen time in daily routines and busy schedules pulling families in every direction, many early vision problems go unnoticed. Continue reading to discover how routine exams, early detection, and the right support can help your child see their world with clarity and confidence.
When Should Children Have Their First Eye Exams?
According to Dr. Reynolds, children should have their first eye assessment within the first year of life, followed by another exam around age five or six—just before starting school. After that, most children benefit from visits every one to two years, depending on their prescription or needs. These milestones help ensure vision develops normally during the most important stages of growth.
Many parents worry that their younger child won’t be able to participate in an exam, especially if they don’t yet know their letters. “We can determine a child’s prescription without their input” said Dr. Reynolds. Using advanced tools that measure the eye’s internal structures, your child can relax while the team gathers all the information needed—even if they’re shy, distracted, or still learning shapes and letters.
Does Family History Mean a Child Will Need Glasses?
If both parents wear glasses, there is a strong likelihood that their child may also need them eventually. Genetics play a role, but today’s digital habits have an impact as well. As Dr. Reynolds notes, more screen time and less outdoor play contribute to a growing trend of children developing prescriptions earlier and more frequently.
Even with a genetic predisposition, early eye exams allow your provider to track changes, watch for worsening vision, and guide families on healthy visual habits. Not every child with nearsighted parents will need glasses—but monitoring ensures nothing is missed.
How Screens Shape Children’s Vision
In today’s digital world, screen time is almost unavoidable. But the eyes adapt to what they do most often. If children spend more time indoors on tablets, computers, or phones, their vision tends to adjust to shorter distances. Over time, this can contribute to nearsightedness and visual fatigue.
Dr. Reynolds further elaborates that outdoor activities help the eyes develop for distance vision, while excessive near-work can shift the eyes toward focusing only up close. Balanced habits—including breaks from screens and more time playing outside—can support healthier visual development.
Early Signs Your Child May Have a Vision Problem
Children often can’t recognize or verbalize vision changes. Some behaviors you may notice include:
- Frequent squinting
- Eye rubbing
- Difficulty focusing during reading or math
- Avoiding near tasks
- Trouble paying attention
Interestingly, farsightedness can sometimes look like inattention or hyperactivity. When a child works too hard to focus, they become overstimulated and fatigued, creating behaviors that mimic ADHD. A comprehensive eye exam can help differentiate between visual strain and other concerns.
Even if your child never complains about their eyesight, they may still struggle. “Kids don’t understand how to communicate what they’re seeing,” Dr. Reynolds explains. Since visual clarity doesn’t fully develop until around age six, important prescription changes can easily go unnoticed without routine care.
Why School and Pediatric Screenings Aren’t Enough
School screenings and pediatric wellness visits are helpful, but they don’t replace a full eye exam. These screenings typically check for basic distance vision concerns and may catch issues like eye turns or obvious refractive errors. However, they do not evaluate the health of the internal eye or detect early signs of disease.
Dr. Reynolds emphasizes that while primary care teams are doing excellent work with improved technology, screenings still miss many important details. A comprehensive exam looks deeper—examining the retina, evaluating eye coordination, and detecting issues long before they interfere with learning.
Schedule Your Child’s Next Eye Exam in Fort Worth
Childhood vision concerns can affect everything from schoolwork to confidence, and many issues develop long before kids know how to describe them. At Altig Optical, our team is committed to helping families stay ahead of potential challenges through early exams, accurate testing, and a friendly approach that helps kids feel at ease.
A comprehensive pediatric eye exam ensures your child gets the clear, comfortable vision they deserve—no matter their age or personality. Request an appointment today, call us at Altig Optical, or visit our office in Fort Worth, Texas, to give your child the best start to lifelong eye health.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should my child get their first full eye exam?
- Most children benefit from an initial exam within the first year of life, then again around age five or six.
Can my child get an accurate exam if they don’t know letters yet?
- Yes. Providers use advanced tools to measure prescriptions without needing verbal responses.
Does too much screen time affect vision?
- It can. Excessive near-work encourages the eyes to adapt to short distances, which may contribute to vision problems.
Are school vision screenings enough?
- No. They check only basic vision and do not assess overall eye health or early disease.