Dr. Leslie DeMers pediatric optometrist in Sparks and Reno, NV

Pediatric vision care is a rewarding service. We truly enjoy having children come into our office. Our exam rooms are designed to accommodate children by having their own chairs, children's books and toys.

When should a child have their first eye exam?
Although the pediatrician examines the baby's eyes at birth, the American Academy of Optometry recommends that a child have an exam at 6 months. At this age, the purpose of the eye exam is to make sure that there are no diseases present, no eye teaming or alignment issues, and will determine whether or not eye glasses / contacts are necessary. The need for glasses or pediatric contacts is extremely rare for babies.

If eye conditions are not addressed at an early age, the visual system will likely not develop properly leading to vision loss.

How is an eye exam performed on an infant?

Although a baby can’t speak at 6-months of age, the doctor can perform several tests without the need for input from the tiny patient. This provides all of the necessary information to care for your child’s vision.

Schedule your child's appointment today at DeMers Family Vision Group. We recommend that you schedule a time that does not interfere with nap time or eating if possible so that the infant will be the most alert during the exam.

(775) 358-1317

Recommendation:
We recommend routine eye examinations EVERY year for children; even if there are no signs or symptoms of visual difficulty present.

Key elements of our exams:

Refractive status (does child need glasses?)
Eye teaming and alignment
Depth perception
Color vision
Eye health
Visual acuity