Nittany Eye Associates: Pediatric Eye Doctors Who Care
Early eye exams are essential for healthy vision development. Our pediatric optometrists make eye exams enjoyable and interactive for kids. We use child-friendly tools and explain things in a way they can understand while also comprehensively evaluating their eyes.
Our pediatric eye doctors at Nittany Eye Associates are dedicated to promoting healthy vision in children, ensuring they have clear vision and good eye health during their formative years.
Pediatric Eye Exams in Windmere, Grays Woods, Spring Mills, Tyrone & Lock Haven
Pediatric eye care isn’t solely about assessing how clearly your child can see, because good eyesight also depends on how well-developed your child's visual system is. The visual system is primarily made up of the eyes and the brain, and a child's ability to learn, explore, and engage with the world depends on how well the visual system works together — also known as visual skills.
Remember that even if your child doesn’t have a visible eye problem, pediatric eye exams are still important because kids often don’t know how to identify or express that they have a vision problem.
Children with poor visual skills are often misdiagnosed with ADHD or learning disabilities, making it important for children with these conditions to get eye exams.
Some key visual skills include:
- Eye Tracking: The ability of the eyes to move smoothly across a line of text or follow a moving object.
- Eye Focusing: The ability to change focus from near to far and back again comfortably.
- Eye Teaming: The eyes working together as a coordinated team, allowing for depth perception and comfortable 3D vision.
- Visual Perception: The brain's ability to make sense of what the eyes see, including recognizing shapes, letters, and patterns.
- Color Vision: The ability to differentiate and recognize various colors accurately.
From Infancy to Adolescence: Functional Vision Exams
Infants (0–2 Years): Building the Foundation
In the first two years of life, your child's visual system undergoes significant development. Your child’s first eye exam should be during their first 6 months of life, as this is a critical period for early detection of any potential vision problems or developmental concerns.
Safeguarding Your Infant's Vision with InfantSEE
Nittany Eye Associates is a proud member of the InfantSEE program, a vital initiative dedicated to safeguarding the visual health of infants across the United States.
This program provides no-cost comprehensive eye assessments for infants between the ages of 6 and 12 months, a crucial period for early vision development. During this initial exam, one of our pediatric optometrists will check the clarity of your child’s vision and the functionality of their eyes and visual system.
Toddlers and Preschoolers (3–5 Years): The Learning Years
As your child enters the preschool years, their visual skills take on even greater significance, as they’re important for both learning and play. During these formative years, we strongly emphasise evaluating various aspects of their visual development to ensure they are well-equipped for the challenges of school and the enjoyment of various activities.
We pay close attention to visual skills such as eye coordination and depth perception, vital for activities like reading, writing, and playing sports.
School-Aged Children (6–12 Years): Keeping Pace with Education
In the classroom, children are often required to read textbooks, write notes, and complete assignments up close. We assess their ability to clearly see and focus on objects at close distances to ensure they can engage effectively in these essential tasks.
We’ll also prescribe eyeglasses or contacts for eye conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), including myopia treatments like ortho-k to preserve their vision.
Teenagers (13-18 Years): Preparing for Adulthood
With technology playing a significant role in their daily lives, a common concern during this phase is computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain. This condition is caused by the increased use of digital devices, leading to symptoms like eye fatigue, dryness, headaches, and blurred vision. Our comprehensive eye exams are designed to address these challenges proactively.
Regular eye exams are important to monitor visual acuity and assess eye health. Children in this age range may benefit from myopia management to help slow myopia progression. Furthermore, we’ll assess their eye health to detect any signs of strain, irritation, or dry eye exacerbated by extended screen use or other eye conditions.
Should your teen want to transition to contact lenses, we’ll offer guidance, giving them comfortable, accurate vision.