Pediatric Vision Care in Franklin, TN
Vision doesn’t just happen; it is a learned sense. A child’s brain learns how to use eyes to see, just like it learns how to use legs to walk or a mouth to form words. The longer a vision problem goes undiagnosed and untreated, the more a child’s brain learns to accommodate the vision problem.
That’s why a comprehensive eye examination is so important for children. Early detection and treatment provide the very best opportunity to correct vision problems, so your child can learn to see clearly and comfortably. We follow the American Optometric Association’s recommendation that a child have an eye exam at 6 months, 3 years old, before entering kindergarten and every 1-2 years thereafter.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should my child have their first eye exam?
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), children should have their first comprehensive eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age. After that, they should be evaluated at 3 years old, again before entering kindergarten (ages 5 or 6), and every year thereafter to support their learning and visual development.
Why are pediatric eye exams important if my child passed their school vision screening?
While school vision screenings are excellent for identifying basic visual sharpness (visual acuity), they often miss up to 75% of vision problems. A comprehensive pediatric eye exam at The Spectacle Shoppe evaluates the actual health of the eye, eye tracking, focusing alignment, depth perception, and how well the eyes work together as a team; issues a standard wall-chart screening cannot detect.
What are the common signs that my child might have a vision problem?
Children often don’t complain about blurry vision because they assume everyone sees the world the exact same way they do. Keep an eye out for these common warning signs:
- Frequent eye rubbing or excessive blinking
- Squinting, tilting the head, or closing one eye to read or watch TV
- Holding books or screens very close to their face
- Losing their place or using a finger to track words while reading
- Unexplained headaches, eye strain, or a sudden drop in school performance
What happens during a pediatric eye exam? Is it painful?
Not at all! We design our children’s eye exams to be completely stress-free, engaging, and child-friendly. Using specialized symbols, lights, and matching games, our team can accurately check visual tracking, depth perception, and eye health even if your child doesn’t know their alphabet yet.
Do you accept vision plans for children's eye exams in Franklin?
Yes! We work with various vision plans to make pediatric eye care accessible for families in Middle Tennessee. If you don’t have vision insurance, we also offer our exclusive in-house membership plans with low monthly or annual options to cover their eye care needs without the insurance hassle.