The Role of Eye Exams in Detecting Vision Problems in School-Aged Children

As children grow and begin their educational journey, clear and comfortable vision becomes essential to their success. Yet, many vision issues can go unnoticed, especially in school-aged children who may not realize their vision is compromised. At Clarifeye Total Eye Care, we are committed to helping families in Shenandoah and surrounding communities stay proactive about their children’s eye health, starting with a comprehensive eye exam.
 

Why Eye Exams Are Essential for Children

Children rely heavily on their vision for learning. Nearly 80% of learning in a classroom is visual. From reading and writing to using digital devices and seeing the board, good vision plays a key role in academic performance and social development.
 

Unfortunately, vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or eye coordination issues often go undetected during routine school screenings. These screenings can miss more subtle but impactful vision issues that may affect your child’s ability to focus, read efficiently, or perform to their full potential.
 

Common Vision Problems in Children

Some of the most common vision concerns we see in school-aged children include:

• Myopia (nearsightedness): Blurry distance vision, often noticed when a child squints or moves closer to the board.

• Hyperopia (farsightedness): Difficulty focusing on nearby tasks like reading or homework.

• Astigmatism: Blurred vision at all distances, potentially leading to eye strain and headaches.

• Binocular vision issues: Problems with eye teaming and tracking that can cause reading difficulties or loss of place on a page.

• Strabismus or amblyopia (lazy eye): Misalignment of the eyes or reduced vision in one eye, which can affect depth perception and coordination.
   

Left unaddressed, these problems may hinder academic achievement and even cause behavioral challenges due to frustration or fatigue.
 

What to Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam

At Clarifeye Total Eye Care, Dr. Kim Lam provides thorough, child-friendly eye exams designed to detect even the most subtle vision issues. Her goal is to create a positive and relaxed experience for every child while ensuring an accurate assessment of their eye health.
 

During your child’s visit, Dr. Lam and our experienced team will assess several key areas of vision, including visual acuity at both near and far distances, eye alignment and coordination, depth perception, peripheral vision, and eye focusing abilities. We also perform a full evaluation of overall eye health to check for any underlying conditions that may not present obvious symptoms.
 

To provide the most effective care, we use age-appropriate techniques along with advanced diagnostic tools. This allows Dr. Lam to tailor the exam to each child’s needs and ensure they receive the highest level of care in a welcoming and supportive environment.
 

When Should Children Have Eye Exams?

The American Optometric Association recommends the following schedule for pediatric eye exams:

• First exam: At 6 to 12 months of age

• Second exam: At age 3

• Before first grade: Around age 5 or 6

• Annually thereafter if no vision correction is needed; more frequently if your child wears glasses or has a diagnosed vision condition
   

In Shenandoah and nearby communities, we encourage families to schedule their child's annual eye exam before the start of the school year to ensure they’re set up for success.
 

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

Eye exams play a crucial role in identifying vision problems early and supporting your child’s academic and developmental milestones. We’re here to be your partner in lifelong eye health.
 

Schedule your child’s comprehensive eye exam at Clarifeye Total Eye Care and help them see clearly for a bright future. Contact our office in Shenandoah, Texas, by calling (936) 267-0190 to book an appointment today.