Pediatric Eye Exams in Sioux Falls, SD
From the moment they're born, children rely on their vision to explore and understand the world around them. Whether it's learning to recognize faces, reading their favorite books, or playing with friends, healthy vision is essential for your child's development.
Our goal at The Eye Guys in Sioux Falls is to help parents be proactive about their child's eye health, setting them up for success in and out of the classroom.
The Link Between Your Child’s Vision and Learning
Vision plays a critical role in your child's ability to learn and engage with the world. In fact, around 80% of what children learn is through visual processing, whether it’s identifying letters, reading a whiteboard, or recognizing shapes and colors. Even minor vision problems can affect your child’s ability to focus and perform in school. Without regular eye exams, undetected vision issues can lead to learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and frustration.
How Often Should Your Child Have an Eye Exam?
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends a comprehensive eye exam to monitor your child's vision and eye health at every stage of their development:
- Infants (6-12 months): Your child’s first comprehensive eye exam should occur between 6 and 12 months.
- Preschoolers (Ages 3-5): A follow-up exam at age three is recommended, with another before they enter school.
- School-age children (6+ years): Once your child starts school, we recommend annual eye exams with our Sioux Falls pediatric doctor to ensure their vision remains sharp and their eyes healthy.
Common Pediatric Eye Conditions
Children are susceptible to various eye conditions that can affect their vision and development. Some of the most common issues include:
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): This occurs when one eye develops better vision than the other, leading the brain to favor the stronger eye.
- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Misaligned eyes can lead to issues with depth perception and may require treatment to ensure proper vision development.
- Refractive Errors: Conditions like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism can all affect your child’s ability to see clearly.
- Convergence Insufficiency: This condition makes it difficult for a child’s eyes to work together, often leading to problems with reading and focusing on close-up tasks.
Signs Your Child May Need a Pediatric Eye Exam
Vision problems in children can be difficult to spot because they may not realize their vision is impaired. Here are some signs that could indicate your child needs an eye exam:
- Squinting, tilting their head, or covering one eye to see
- Frequent headaches or complaints of tired eyes
- Difficulty reading or sitting too close to the TV or computer
- Excessive blinking, eye rubbing, or tearing
- Avoiding activities that require near vision, like reading or homework
- Poor performance in school or trouble concentrating
If you notice these symptoms, it’s time to schedule a pediatric eye exam in The Eye Guys, SD, with The Eye Guys.
Our Child-Friendly Approach to Eye Exams
We understand that visiting the eye doctor can be intimidating for kids. That’s why at The Eye Guys, we go above and beyond to create a child-friendly, comfortable environment. From the moment your child steps into our office, we strive to make their visit fun, relaxed, and engaging.
Our pediatric eye doctors in Sioux Falls are trained to work with young children, helping them feel at ease throughout the exam. Our exams are thorough yet gentle, and we explain each step in simple language, so your child knows what to expect. And don’t worry—our office is equipped with the latest kid-friendly tools and tests to make the exam smooth and stress-free.
InfantSEE® Exams for Your Baby
We proudly participate in the InfantSEE® program, a public health initiative designed to provide early eye care for infants. Through this program, we offer a no-cost comprehensive eye exam for babies between 6 and 12 months. Early detection of vision problems is crucial for healthy development, and the InfantSEE program allows us to assess your baby’s eye health and ensure their vision is on track.
Schedule a Children's Eye Exam in Sioux Falls
Our optometrists are dedicated to supporting your child's development through eyecare, compassion, and expertise. Don’t wait until something seems wrong—schedule your child’s pediatric eye exam with us in Sioux Falls.
