Q: How old do children need regular eye examinations?

A: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies should have their first eye examination soon after birth, by a second eye exam at about 6 months, and then between the ages of 3 and 4, around age 5, and every year after 5.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), similar to the AAP, recommends that children should have eye exams at 6 months, 3 years old and before elementary school, respectively, and then at least every two years.

In general, it is better to keep the frequency of eye examination for your children about once a year. And eye exam is also not only to check if a child’s vision is normal, but also to check for amblyopia, strabismus, color blindness or various eye diseases. Regular eye exams can enable doctors to detect children’s eye problems in a timely manner and get them the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.