Comprehensive pediatric eye exams thoroughly evaluate the eye health of children. The exam relies on objective measurement when it comes to children. Doctors do not depend on responses from your child as they may be subjective. 

Pediatric eye exams become tailored towards developing the abilities of your child. They are fun and comfortable for all children. As a parent, it is essential to understand and know what to expect before taking your child for their comprehensive eye exam.

Medical and Family Eye Health History

The doctor will ask about the vision and general health of your child. In addition, they will ask about their medical history to be keen about inherited genetic eye conditions. Some family history or conditions may increase the risk of getting eye health problems. 

There are genetic components that can affect the vision of generations in the same bloodline. Being keen about that will help you give the doctor the appropriate information. It is essential to know of symptoms you have seen in the past. 

Your doctor will also ask about the medication your child takes. Parents should also be aware of the environmental conditions of where their child spends most of their time. Some children develop eye conditions due to too much screen time at home. Your doctor will ask you questions, so be ready to answer some. 

Basic Eye Exam

Your doctor will do a basic eye exam to check vision sharpness, eye muscle, and pupil function. Various tests work when testing the visual acuity of a child. A doctor can play peek-a-boo with cards as they observe to see where the eyes gravitate. 

Older children around five years old can read an eye chart. Pupil reflexes change with luminance. The doctor will use a bright light to observe and examine the pupil to note abnormalities.

Dilation

The doctor will place unique eye drops in the eyes of your child. Doing so will help dilate the pupils to have a clear view of the structures in the inner eye. Dilation helps see the retina, lens, and vitreous that are essential for detecting the presence of ocular disease.

Your child may feel a burning or sting after getting the eye drops, but the sensation does not last long. The eye drops take up to 20 minutes to begin working, and their effect wears off after a few hours. Hence, it is ideal to schedule the eye exam at the end of the day. If your child has lighter eyes, they may feel the effect of the eye drops longer than a child with darker eyes.

Eye Structure Exam

Your pediatric ophthalmologist will examine the eye structure of your child to ensure their eye health is at its optimum. Dilation aids in seeing structures like the optic nerve, iris, and cornea.

Results

Your ophthalmologist will share the results with you after conducting the tests. They can schedule a treatment plan if there is any need for it. Also, the kind of treatment will depend on the extent of the eye problem. Your doctor will also answer your questions and schedule other appointments if necessary.

For more on Pediatric Eye Exams, visit Raleigh Eye Center at our offices in Reidsville, Durham, Raleigh, North Carolina, or South Hill, Virginia. You can also call (919) 876-2427 to book an appointment today.