Just because she is a baby does not mean that her eye care is not just as important. From the moment the sperm fertilized the egg, her body has been forming and growing. In a matter of weeks, her eye begins to develop and continues this development up until around the age of three. At three years of age her vision is the same as an adult.

At birth, the child’s eyes will be examined for any visual congenital defects of the eyes. The mother will have given a detailed family history looking for any possible genetic defects. If there is a possibility of a hereditary or congenital defect, the pediatrician may recommend further testing to determine whether the baby is afflicted. After the first eye exam, consequent exams are usually recommended at six months, three years and then every year after age five. If the regular pediatrician notices any abnormalities, he or she may recommend a visit to a pediatric ophthalmologist. Diseases such cataracts and glaucoma are not isolated to just the elderly. Pediatric cataracts and such do occur and are something pediatricians and eye care professionals look for.

When the child becomes of age to begin school, often the teacher notices if the child has problems with his or her vision. It might come through a reluctance to try to read the blackboard or squinting to see words printed on a piece of paper. The teacher either will then usually talk with the parents about the problem or will send a note home advising of the need for an eye exam. The actual eye exam may be different from that of an adult. If the child cannot read, then shapes will take the place of the more common letters. The exam is a little bit more difficult for the eye care professional because of the communication level. If a vision problem is detected, the eye doctor may or may not recommend glasses. Often a vision problem is just age associated and the doctor may elect to wait to see if the child outgrows it. Otherwise eyeglasses are prescribed.

Out of the womb, a child blinks to glimpse her first blurry shapes. These shapes will begin to come into definition and faces recognized as she ages. Her eyes will take in her surroundings. Her caregivers will ensure that her eyesight is not neglected through a series of exams lasting her entire life.