Baby's First Eye Exam

Baby's First Eye Exam

When eye or vision problems occur in infants,
they can cause developmental delays. Early
detection of vision conditions is vital to
correcting and safeguarding the health of a
baby's eyes and the quality of sight.

At about 6 months of age, your baby should have his or her first
thorough eye exam. You should schedule this exam regardless of
whether or not you notice any signs of vision problems. Healthy
eyes and good vision play a critical role in how infants and children
learn. The best way to be sure your baby's eyes are functioning and
developing properly is through a complete eye examination.

During you baby's eye examination, your eye doctor should test for:

InfantSEE® is the American Optometric Association's public
health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care
becomes an integral part of infant wellness to improve a
child's quality of life. Under this program, participating
doctors of optometry provide a comprehensive infant eye
assessment between 6 and 12 months of age as a no-cost
public service. To learn more about the InfantSEE® program
and to locate a doctor in your area, click on the link below.

Don't forget to protect your baby's
eyes, as well as skin, when outdoors.

Babies' eyes are more sensitive to
sun exposure than adults. They need
protection from the potentially harmful
affects of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in
sunlight.

A hat or cap with a wide brim can
help to shield your baby's eyes from
the sun. But UV blocking sunglasses
offer the highest level of protection.

Baby and toddler size sunglasses
with 99%-100% UV protection and
impact resistant lenses are available
from a variety of sources. Look for a
label listing the amount of UVA and
UVB protection provided. Your family
eye doctor can assist you in making
an appropriate selection.

The earlier children start wearing
sunglasses the better their chances
of avoiding eye health problems later
in life, like cataracts and macular
degeneration.