Eye Exams for Children in La Grange & Chicago
As parents, you want the best for your little ones, and so do we! At Eye Mechanix, we understand just how important your child’s vision is for their development and happiness. That’s why we provide fun, stress-free pediatric eye exams that ensure your child’s eyes are healthy and ready to take on the world.
They Seem Fine, why do They Need an Eye Exam?
Children rely on their vision for everything from learning in school to playing outside, and it’s crucial that any potential issues are caught early.
Pediatric eye exams allow us to check for vision problems and eye conditions before they can impact your child’s development. Whether it’s nearsightedness, farsightedness, or even something more complex, our goal is to make sure your child has clear vision.
How Often Should My Child Have an Eye Exam?
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), your child should have their first eye exam at around six months, then again at three years, and just before starting school.
School-aged children need a yearly eye exam to keep track of any changes in their vision and eye health. Regular eye exams ensure we can address any issues quickly, keeping your little vision in tip-top shape as they grow
Risk Factors for Eye Conditions in Children
Certain factors can increase your child’s likelihood of developing vision problems or eye conditions. While some are genetic or developmental, others may be related to external influences.
1. Family History of Eye Problems: Your child may have a higher risk if you or other family members have certain eye conditions. These include like:
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- Lazy eye (amblyopia)
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Farsightedness (hyperopia)
- Astigmatism
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
2. Premature Birth: Babies born prematurely are at a higher risk of developing:
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- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
- Delayed visual development
3. Developmental Delays: Children with developmental delays or neurological disorders, like Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, may also face an increased risk of eye conditions. These may include:
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- Strabismus (misalignment of the eyes)
- Refractive errors
- Optic nerve hypoplasia
4. Health Conditions: Certain medical conditions, like diabetes or juvenile arthritis, may increase the risk of eye health issues in children.
Even if your child doesn’t fall into these risk categories, routine eye exams are essential for detecting vision problems early.
Signs of Vision Problems in Children
Your child might not always be able to tell you when something’s wrong with their vision. Here are some common signs to look out for:
- Squinting or tilting their head
- Frequently rubbing their eyes
- Excessive tearing or redness
- Complaints of headaches or eye strain
- Difficulty focusing on objects or tracking movement
- Sitting too close to the TV or holding objects very close to their face
If you notice any of these signs, schedule an eye exam to ensure there are no underlying issues.
Pediatric Eye Exams at Eye Mechanix
We want your child to feel comfortable and excited about visiting the eye doctor. Our pediatric eye exams are designed to be fun and interactive, tailored to your child’s age and needs. From playful tests for younger kids to engaging visual tasks for older ones, we create an environment where they can feel safe and curious. We’re not here to be the scary doctor – we’re here to help foster a lifelong love of eye care.
What to Expect from Our Exams
Our comprehensive eye exams involve several steps to assess the overall health of a child’s eyes and their ability to see clearly. Here’s what you can expect during a pediatric eye exam:
- Family History and Discussion: The exam starts with a conversation about your child’s health, any vision concerns, family history, and any symptoms they may be experiencing.
- Vision Testing: Depending on your child’s age, we will test how well they can see.
- Eye Alignment Testing: Our eye doctor will check how well your child’s eyes work together. This helps detect issues like strabismus (crossed eyes) or amblyopia (lazy eye).
- Depth Perception and Binocular Vision Testing: This involves checking how well your child’s eyes work together to judge distances and see in 3D.
- Refraction Test: This determines if your child needs glasses by measuring how light focuses on the retina.
- Eye Health Evaluation: We check the overall health of your child’s eyes.
- Color Vision Testing: This test checks for color blindness, which is important for reading and recognizing colors.
- Prescription for Glasses (if needed): If the exam shows that your child has a refractive error, we will provide a prescription for corrective lenses.
Chicago, IL 60614
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
La Grange, IL 60525
- Monday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Helping Kids See
The World Clearly
The World Clearly
Keeping your child’s eyes healthy is easy with Eye Mechanix. Our caring eye doctors are here to make the process smooth, comfortable, and even fun! Book an appointment, and let us help your little one see the world with clear, bright eyes.
