6 months to 2 years:
First comprehensive vision care exam
The exact cause of myopia is still unclear, but there are a few known risk factors. A child may be at risk of developing myopia due to one or more of the following:
Read each question below and click on the answer that best describes your child. Each selection will take a deeper dive into how these risk factors may or may not affect your child.
01/Total
However, if it's detected early enough, myopia control strategies can slow progression and avoid high myopia. Not all kids will have obvious symptoms of myopia (squinting, eye strain, etc.), so regular eye exams are important.
6 months to 2 years:
First comprehensive vision care exam
Age 3
Age 5-6
Just before starting school
Annually
Throughout the school years
"Annual eye exams are a must for everyone but especially children. A child should get their first eye exam before the age of 2. The exam can identify children that have early nearsightedness and provide education to parents about treatments that can slow the progression of myopia."
Schedule an eye exam for your child with an in-network provider, such as Pearle Vision — they make the experience fun for kids by incorporating The Eye Squad, featuring characters Iris and Lash who are on a mission to save eyes everywhere.
Schedule an Eye Exam1 - "Reshaping care: New myopia management guidance released," American Optometric Association, January 12, 2021, https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/diseases-and-conditions/new-myopia-management-guidance-released?sso=y
2- "Myopia in Children: Is your child at risk?," All About Vision, May 2022, https://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/myopia-causes.htm
3 - "Is myopia more genetic or environmental?," All About Vision, March 2022, https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/refractive-errors/myopia-genetic-or-environmental/
4- "Why Is There a Myopia Explosion?," Optometrists Network, January 2022, https://www.optometrists.org/childrens-vision/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions/what-is-myopia/why-is-there-a-myopia-explosion/
5 - "How Often Do Kids Need Eye Exams?," Medical Optometry America, March 2021, https://medodamerica.com/how-often-do-kids-need-eye-exams/