Your child’s vision is essential to their learning, coordination, and overall development. Monitoring vision health early can help identify issues that may impact their progress socially, academically, or physically. Because many eye conditions can develop silently, regular observation by a trusted optometrist in Vaughan and scheduled kids’ eye exams are key ways to ensure your child has the best possible start. Dr. Brian Abrams is an experienced eye doctor in Vaughan who provides care and eye exams to entire families. If you’re concerned about your child’s vision and want to ensure that any changes or challenges are identified and addressed effectively, book an eye exam at our offices in Vaughan.
Understanding how vision develops and when to seek help can empower you and your child. Read on to learn more about what you can expect from your child’s vision as they grow.
Stages of Vision Development
In the early years of life, children’s eyes change quickly. Optometrists recommend annual appointments and check-ups to ensure everything is progressing as expected.
Infancy (0-12 Months)
Newborns start life with blurry vision and are only able to focus on objects close to their faces. By 2 to 4 months, they begin to follow moving objects with their eyes and develop basic hand-eye coordination. Around 6 months, depth perception starts improving as they begin crawling and exploring their environment. It’s at this stage that scheduling a kid’s eye exam becomes beneficial, even if no issues are apparent. Early detection of issues like crossed eyes or lazy eyes is easier to treat when caught early. If you suspect that your child is dealing with these eye challenges, book a visit with Dr. Brian Abrams, a trusted optometrist in Vaughan for kids.
Toddlerhood (1–3 Years)
As toddlers become more mobile, their vision becomes sharper and more coordinated. They start to recognize shapes, colours, and objects at greater distances. During this stage, keep an eye out for frequent rubbing of the eyes, squinting, or holding books too close. These could be early signs and symptoms of vision problems. If concerns arise, a pediatric eye doctor or a qualified optometrist for kids can provide a thorough assessment and guidance on the next steps.
Preschool and Kindergarten (3–5 Years)
By preschool age, kids use their vision more purposefully. They are reading, playing sports, and learning to write. This is a critical period for identifying conditions like farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism. A comprehensive kids’ eye exam at this stage ensures that any issues affecting reading or classroom learning are caught early. Even subtle problems can impact a child’s academic performance, behaviour, or self-esteem if left unaddressed.
School-Age Children (6+ Years)
School demands a lot from a child’s vision: reading from whiteboards, using digital screens, and tracking moving objects in sports. At this age, vision changes can happen quickly. If your child complains of headaches, sits too close to the television, or struggles to focus on schoolwork, it may be time to visit an eye doctor in Vaughan. Annual eye exams for kids are generally recommended unless your child has a diagnosed condition that requires more frequent monitoring. If your child or their teacher has communicated concerns that relate to their vision, focus, or performance in school, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with your eye doctor in Vaughan promptly.
Support Healthy Development with Eye Exams for Kids
Children may not always recognize or express that they’re having vision problems, so it’s important to watch for key signs like squinting, frequently blinking, poor hand-eye coordination, light sensitivity, headaches, and more. Recognizing the signs of a change in their vision can help you get them the care they need sooner. To stay on top of your child’s eye development and vision, schedule annual visits with your eye doctor. As a trusted professional, Dr. Brian Abrams provides comprehensive eye exams and treatments for children and guidance for parents.
