Pediatric Eye Doctor Las Vegas, NV

Clear and healthy vision is essential for a child’s physical development, academic success, and overall well-being. At our pediatric eye care center in Las Vegas, NV, we offer children’s eye exams to check the accuracy of your child’s vision, diagnose any eye conditions, and provide a plan of treatment to ensure they experience the best possible vision and eye health.

Pediatric Eye Exams

Children can have eye health and vision problems, and a pediatric eye exam is essential to detect issues early in a child’s life so that they can get proper care before problems worsen. Dr. Ellen Merkin offers pediatric eye care services. Our pediatric optometrist has the experience to diagnose and treat eye health and vision problems in children.  

Why are Pediatric Eye Exams Important for Children?

It’s important for children to have their eyes examined to ensure they are healthy and that they don’t have any vision problems which may interfere with their performance in school. Learning is all about vision; in fact, up to 80% of what a child learns is presented visually. Eye exams for children assess whether they have the necessary visual skills which are essential for learning:  

• Excellent vision for near, up-close work and for distance.  
• Comfortable and correct “eye teaming,” which means the eyes work well together and can focus on the same place in space.  
• Excellent ability to switch the focus from an object up close to an object in the distance.  
• Accurate eye movement skills, such as the ability to read a line of text.  

When Should Children See a Pediatric Eye Doctor?

Children should have their first eye exam at six months, then again at three years old, and once more before they enter kindergarten.  

Once a child is in school, they should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years if no vision correction is needed. If a child has been prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses, then they should be examined on an annual basis or as recommended by the optometrist.  

The eye exam methods our doctor uses depend on the age of the child. However, the pediatric eye exam will generally include learning about their history, testing their vision, determining whether eyeglasses are needed, testing their eye alignment, conducting an eye health evaluation, and if needed, prescribing eyeglasses.  

How Does a Kids’ Eye Exam Differ from a Vision Screening?

A vision screening is typically designed to check a child’s general vision acuity. If a problem is suspected, usually the recommendation is to take the child to a pediatric optometrist for a comprehensive pediatric eye exam. An optometrist has the clinical expertise necessary to diagnose problems and provide a prescription for eyeglasses if necessary. If your child needs eyeglasses for vision correction, we offer a wide selection of eyewear options well-suited for children of all ages. Our team will ensure that your child has the clearest vision possible and that their glasses provide a comfortable fit with the ability to withstand school, sports, and other playful activities.