Routine eye exams at a young age are important in order to prevent vision problems when your child becomes older. A majority of vision problems can be treated when detected early. Often signs of vision problems in children include: short attention span, avoiding reading or other close activities, losing his or her place when reading, or turning his or her head to the side. If your child begins displaying any of these symptoms, it is important to have an eye exam in order to ensure your child’s overall health.   Our optometrist will assess your child’s visual acuity, eye alignment, eye movement skills, peripheral vision, and eye pressure. We will also assess for any color deficiencies and determine the extent of your child’s depth perception. Pediatric eye exams often include dilation with agents that help relax the eye’s internal focusing muscles.  This allows us to determine the child’s true prescription and is performed in order to determine an accurate glasses prescription if necessary.  This also allows us to screen for potential amblyogenic factors that may exist. Amblyopia can present with symptoms including an eye turn as well as blurry vision in one or both eyes.  If a child is found to have amblyopia, an appropriate treatment and management regimen is implemented, often consisting of prescribing glasses and following the child’s progress as needed to ensure improvement.