When it comes to children’s vision, a thorough eye exam goes far beyond checking how well they can read a chart. At Eye & Vision Care, pediatric eye exams are designed to assess every part of the visual system—ensuring your child has the tools they need to thrive in school, play, and everyday life.
Continue reading to learn how these exams are performed, the advanced technologies used, and how even non-verbal children can be evaluated with ease.
A Full-System Check for Young Eyes
Each pediatric exam starts with a detailed review of your child’s visual system. Dr. Werkhoven explains that this includes not only visual clarity, but also:
- Binocular vision and eye alignment: Checking how the eyes work together and testing for issues like strabismus (eye misalignment) or amblyopia (lazy eye).
- Focusing and refractive accuracy: Identifying whether glasses may be needed, even if the child isn’t showing obvious symptoms.
- Ocular health screening: Looking for signs of irritation, UV damage, or underlying eye conditions—especially important in sunny Southern California.
What makes pediatric eye care unique is that children often can’t express when something feels off. Since vision issues may be “normal” to them, a proactive exam is essential to spot problems before they cause learning delays or daily frustrations.
Kid-Friendly Testing—No Reading Required
If your child hasn’t learned letters yet, there’s no need to worry. Vision can still be accurately assessed using:
- LIA symbols or picture charts, which are matched to visual acuity levels.
- Light reflex testing, a technique used even in infants to evaluate how light travels through the eye.
- Non-verbal exams, developed through programs like InfantSEE®, offered for children as young as 6 months.
These age-appropriate methods mean every child—from toddlers to pre-teens—can be tested confidently and comfortably.
Comfort and Safety: No Puff of Air Here
One of the most common concerns parents have is whether their child will need eye drops or the dreaded “puff of air” test. Here’s what you can expect at Eye & Vision Care:
- Dilation: While dilation is still the gold standard for evaluating the back of the eye, advanced imaging may reduce the need for drops if a clear view can be obtained without them.
- No air puff: The team uses modern tonometry methods instead of the air puff to check intraocular pressure. These tools, including iCare and Goldmann tonometers, are safer, more accurate, and far more child-friendly.
Not only does this approach improve the experience for your child, but it also enhances hygiene and diagnostic precision.
Diagnosing Amblyopia and Strabismus Early
Pediatric exams also screen for two conditions that can significantly impact a child’s visual development:
- Strabismus is when the eyes don’t align properly. It may cause double vision or interfere with depth perception.
- Amblyopia (lazy eye) occurs when one eye fails to send clear messages to the brain, often due to strabismus or refractive differences between the eyes.
Both conditions can be effectively managed—especially when detected early. New findings in neuroplasticity even show that treatment can extend well into adulthood, giving patients more hope than ever for vision recovery.
Book Your Child’s Eye Exam in Santa Barbara
Early exams can help your child avoid challenges in school and sports, and even protect their long-term vision. At Eye & Vision Care, we’re dedicated to making each visit a positive experience with gentle care and cutting-edge technology.
Call us today at 805-899-3636 or visit us at 5290 Overpass Rd, Suite 122, Santa Barbara, CA 93111 to schedule your child’s next exam. Let us help your child see the world with confidence and clarity.