Pediatric Eye Doctors in Phoenix and Scottsdale

As a parent, you want your child to get the most out of life. Their growing eyes are their window to the world. So when your child is exhibiting vision problems, it’s time to pick up the phone and schedule a vision exam with Optical Expressions—the trusted kids’ eye doctor near you.

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Why Is Pediatric Eye Care Important?

Children use their eyesight to learn about the world. They also rely on their eyes for crucial developmental milestones. Regular eye exams with a pediatric optometrist can detect and address any potential issues early on, preventing long-term problems that could affect their development and daily activities.

Signs You Should Schedule an Eye Exam for Your Child

Short Attention Span

A lack of focus can be a sign of vision problems in kids. If your child has difficulty maintaining focus or exhibits a short attention span, it could be a sign of underlying vision problems. A pediatric eye doctor can diagnose the issue and recommend solutions.

Complains of Headaches or Fatigue

If your child is complaining about headaches, myopia could be to blame. Also known as nearsightedness, myopia in children often shows up as frequent headaches or fatigue. Nearsightedness runs in families, so if you’re nearsighted, your child could be too.

Poor Reading Comprehension

Struggling with reading comprehension is often linked to vision problems in children. A pediatric optometrist can assess your child’s vision, helping them enjoy the books they love again.

Avoiding Reading

Reading can put a strain on your child’s eyes if they have vision problems. If your child doesn’t want to read or suggests that reading hurts their eyes, it’s time to get their eyesight checked by an eye doctor.

Head Tilting

Have you noticed your child tilting their head often? It’s usually not out of curiosity but rather vision problems. If you notice your child tilting their head frequently, it might point toward a vision problem. A pediatric eye doctor from Optical Expressions can address this problem.

What to Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam

The pediatric optometrist will visually examine your child’s eyes and may use eye drops to dilate their pupils. For toddlers and older, an eye doctor will typically use a kid-friendly eye chart designed with familiar shapes.

They may use an optometric tool called a retinoscope and lenses to determine the need for eyeglasses. This allows the eye doctor to determine a prescription without a verbal response from the child.

What to Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam

Help Your Child See the World

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Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my child have their first eye exam?

We recommend children have their first comprehensive eye exam as early as 6 months old, followed by additional exams before starting school and periodically as they grow. Our pediatric eye doctors also see teens, so your family can stick with the same team through every stage.

Is pediatric eye care covered by insurance?

Coverage for pediatric eye exams varies by plan. Visit our insurance and payment options page or contact our Phoenix or Scottsdale office to confirm your child’s specific benefits.

What's the difference between a vision screening and a full pediatric eye exam?

A vision screening, like the ones done at school or during a pediatric checkup, is a brief pass/fail check that can miss underlying issues. A comprehensive pediatric eye exam takes a closer look at your child’s overall eye health and vision development, catching problems a screening alone might not. We’re happy to provide any exam documentation your child’s school requires.