Pediatric Vision Care

Dr. Noah Eger specializes in the pediatric eye care by providing both physiological, (vision and ocular health exam), and perceptual testing, (recommended for children experiencing learning difficulties). We believe that children should have the best possible vision and vision skills to use in their educational years and future lives.

Children are examined in accordance with the American Optometric Association and Pennsylvania Optometric Association's guidelines for the frequency of child vision exams:

• Age 6 months
• Age 3 years
• Before entering first grade
• Every one or two years thereafter

The earlier a child's vision problems are detected, the more responsive the visual system will be to treatment, and you will be ensuring your child has the vision skills to learn.

The exam before age 1

Why? Because Dr. Eger will examine the eyes for disease and normal eye structure development. Infants will be checked for possible signs of amblyopia, (lazy eye), crossed-eyes, and other focusing problems. Early detection is often critical in preventing vision problems that can have lifelong effects.

The exam before age 3

At age 3, your child's visual acuity and eye health will be assessed. Eye movement skills, focusing and binocular vision skills, (the ability of the two eyes to work together as a team), will be evaluated. The eyes will again be checked for warning signs of amblyopia, which is most responsive to treatment if diagnosed by the age of 3.

The exam before age 5

At age 5, your child should be examined to determine the readiness of vision skills for school. An estimated 10% of children have a significant need for eyeglasses to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Another 15-20% suffer from poor vision skills, focusing, eye alignment, or other eye movement skills. Sending a child to school with undetected vision problems can lead to difficulty with learning and frustration in school.

Do school vision screenings substitute for a comprehensive vision examination?

NO! They frequently only test for visual acuity and rely on a response from a child. Most of the vision skills that have been shown to affect learning are not evaluated, including near vision, eye coordination, eye movement, focusing, peripheral awareness, and eye/hand coordination. The National PTA has recognized the shortcomings of vision screenings for our nation's children.

Kids are always welcome at the Eger Eye Group!

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