EYE CARE FOR CHILDREN
If you or a family member would like to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled eye physicians, please take a moment to call (360) 733-4800.
In addition to providing many eyecare services for adults, Northwest Eye Clinic also provides eye care for children in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Our services include your child’s first complete eye exam, prescribing glasses and contact lenses, and treating other common childhood eye diseases.
Most children are born with healthy eyes. There are, however, serious eye diseases and congenital defects that may threaten your child’s vision. Some problems may be identified and possibly treated within the first few days of your child’s life. Other eye problems, without early identification and appropriate treatment, may cause a child to suffer from permanent vision loss. Every child, even those without noticeable eye problems, should have their first eye exam or vision screening from an ophthalmologist before his or her fifth birthday.
A very young child might not be able to tell you if he or she has an eye problem, but parents are usually the first to recognize the signs of eye disease in their children. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has resources for parents who have concerns regarding their child's vision. If you would like more information regarding what signs may indicate a problem with your child’s eyes, follow the link below. If you are concerned that your child may have a vision problem (including thick glasses worn at an early age), or if eye diseases run in your family, then your child should be examined early by an ophthalmologist.
EyeCare America has issued the following guidelines for children’s eye exams:
Before Age 3
Since it is possible for your child to have a serious vision problem without being aware of it, your child should have his or her eyes screened during his or her regular pediatric well child appointments. Vision screening is recommended for all children starting at approximately 3 years of age.
Speak to your Eye M.D. promptly about when and how often your child's eyes should be examined if there is a family history of vision problems or if your child appears to have any of the following conditions:
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)
Age 3 to 19
To ensure that your child or teenager's eyes remain healthy, he or she should have his or her eyes screened every one to two years during regular pediatric or family physician check-up appointments. If your child fails this vision screening, he or she should be referred to your Eye M.D. promptly for a complete eye exam. If your child already wears glasses or contacts, they should have a yearly eye exam with their Eye M.D.