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When Should Children Have an Eye Exam?
- May 20
- 3 min read
Updated: May 2026 Written by Dr. Britney Caruso Caruso Eye Care
The problem is that children do not always know their vision is blurry. They may think everyone sees the same way they do. Some children may squint, move closer to screens, avoid reading, complain of headaches, or struggle in school before they ever say, “I cannot see.”
That is why children’s eye exams should not be treated as something to schedule only after there is an obvious problem.
A pediatric eye exam can help find vision issues early, support learning and sports performance, and give parents a clearer understanding of their child’s eye health. Schedule an Eye Exam in Royal Palm Beach
Caruso Eye Care 10155 Okeechobee Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL, 33411 (561)-670-1176 Schedule an Eye Exam in Lake Worth Beach
Caruso Eye Care
5900 S State Rd 7, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33449
(561) 649-9898
Why timing matters with children’s eye exams
Children’s vision changes as they grow.
A child may see clearly one year and need glasses the next. Myopia, also called nearsightedness, often begins during childhood and can continue progressing as a child gets older.
The National Eye Institute explains that myopia usually starts between ages 6 and 14 and can get worse into the early twenties.
That makes regular eye exams important, especially during the school-age years. If vision changes are found early, the doctor can recommend the right correction, monitor changes, and discuss whether myopia control options may be appropriate.
NEI Source: https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/nearsightedness-myopia
When should a baby have their first eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive baseline eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age.
This may surprise some parents because babies cannot read letters on a chart. However, eye doctors can still check important parts of early vision and eye health.
During an infant eye exam, the doctor may look at how the eyes respond, how they work together, and whether there are signs of concerns that need monitoring.
How often should school-age children have eye exams?
Annually Annual exams are especially important if your child:
Already wears glasses or contacts
Has a prescription that changes often
Squints when looking far away
Complains of headaches
Struggles with reading or homework
Has trouble seeing the classroom board
Plays sports and struggles with tracking or timing
Has a family history of myopia
Has been told they may need myopia control For children with myopia, yearly exams may not be enough in every case. Some children may need closer monitoring depending on how quickly their prescription is changing.
Pediatric eye exam timeline for parents
6 to 12 months:
First baseline comprehensive eye exam.
Ages 3 to 5:
At least one full exam before school years begin.
Before first grade:
A school-readiness eye exam to check vision before classroom demands increase.
School-age years:
Annual comprehensive eye exams, especially if your child wears glasses, has symptoms, or has a changing prescription.
Any age:
Schedule sooner if your child squints, complains of headaches, struggles in school, avoids reading, or has trouble seeing far away.
When should parents ask about myopia control?
Parents should ask about myopia control if their child has nearsightedness, especially if the prescription keeps getting stronger.
Myopia means distance vision is blurry. A child with myopia may struggle to see the board, road signs, sports fields, or anything far away.
The National Eye Institute notes that symptoms of myopia can include trouble seeing far away, squinting, and eye strain.
Myopia control may be discussed when the doctor wants to help slow the progression of nearsightedness. This is different from only correcting blurry vision with standard glasses or contacts.
NEI Source: https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/nearsightedness-myopia
Dr. Recommended: MiSight® 1 day for eligible children
If your child has myopia, MiSight® 1 day contact lenses may be one of the options the doctor discusses.
MiSight® 1 day is a daily disposable soft contact lens designed to correct nearsightedness and help slow myopia progression in eligible children. CooperVision states that MiSight® 1 day is FDA-approved to slow myopia progression in children ages 8 to 12 at the start of treatment.
CooperVision also reports that MiSight® reduced myopia progression by 59% over three years compared with a single vision daily disposable contact lens. Source: https://coopervision.com/myopia-management
This does not mean every child with myopia should wear MiSight. A doctor must first decide if the child is a good candidate!
Caruso Eye Care 10155 Okeechobee Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL, 33411 (561)-670-1176
Caruso Eye Care 5900 S State Rd 7, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33449 (561) 649-9898