As parents we always want the best for our kids; from their health to their development and success in school. One area that is often overlooked yet incredibly important is eye health. Good vision plays a vital role in your child’s ability to learn, play, and engage with the world around them. But how do you know if your child’s vision is as sharp as it should be?
The answer is simple: a comprehensive eye exam.
A comprehensive eye exam goes beyond checking whether your child can read letters on a chart. It is a thorough assessment of their ocular health and visual abilities at various distances.
During the exam, an optometrist checks:
Visual development
Eye coordination
Overall eye health
Eyecare Kids Optometrist Celine Zhang explains:
“Children often don’t realise they’re having trouble seeing, which means vision issues can go unnoticed. A comprehensive eye exam is the best way to detect problems early before they affect your child’s learning, development, or confidence.”
Kids often don’t realise they have a vision problem—parents may not notice either. Children adapt quickly, making issues easy to miss. Early exams can detect:
Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Strabismus (crossed eyes)
Focusing difficulties
Other developmental vision issues
Around 80% of classroom learning is visual. Undiagnosed issues may cause:
Difficulty reading
Poor concentration
Reduced hand-eye coordination
Lower academic performance
Early detection ensures your child has the best chance to succeed in school.
Children’s eyes develop fast. They may not complain about blurry vision simply because they’ve never experienced clearer vision. Regular exams help catch changes early so your child doesn’t fall behind.
Routine eye exams help children develop lifelong habits such as:
Protecting eyes from UV
Managing screen time
Understanding good visual hygiene
Good vision isn’t just about clear sight—it’s about how well the eyes and brain work together. Children need strong visual processing skills for reading, writing, sports, and everyday tasks.
Key visual skills include:
Ability to shift focus between near and far objects—crucial for reading and looking at boards in class.
Ability to follow moving objects or read smoothly without losing place.
Ability for both eyes to work together. Issues may lead to:
Eye strain
Double vision
Difficulty reading
3–5 years of age: A full comprehensive eye exam before starting school
Yearly check-ups during the school years
Earlier exams if any symptoms or concerns appear
Pre-school vision screenings only test distance vision—they do not assess eye teaming, tracking, or overall eye health.
Squinting or covering one eye
Trouble reading or seeing the board
Headaches or eye strain
Clumsiness or poor hand-eye coordination
Frequent eye rubbing
Holding screens very close
If you notice any of these signs, schedule an exam right away.
The optometrist will review your child’s history, then perform tests including:
Measures how clearly your child sees at different distances.
Checks eye alignment, eye teaming, tracking, and focusing.
Includes internal and external eye checks, as well as scans to assess overall ocular health.
A comprehensive eye exam is essential for your child’s overall health and development. Regular exams ensure clear vision and help build the visual skills needed for school and life.
At Eyecare Kids, we provide:
Thorough comprehensive eye exams
Personalised treatment plans
Child-friendly care tailored to individual needs
Book an appointment today and give your child the gift of healthy vision for life.
