Category
Eye Health
VSP Contributor, 14 Sep 2026

How to Prepare for Your Child's First Eye Exam

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We all know the early health milestones: height and weight, first teeth, first steps. It is easy to forget about your child's eyes. A first eye exam may not feel as routine as a checkup with the pediatrician, but it is an important part of your child's overall health.

When should I take my child for an eye exam?

If your child seems to see the world just fine, that is great. If their vision is off, though, corrective lenses can make everyday activities a lot clearer. When you are deciding on timing, think about the whole family. If other relatives have eye issues, you may want an exam while your child is a toddler. Otherwise, right before kindergarten is a reasonable time for a first exam.

What are common eye problems for children?

Amblyopia, usually called lazy eye, is when one eye is weaker than the other. It can affect depth perception, but it is correctable with eyewear or even eye drops. Another common one is crossed eyes, where one or both eyes turn in or out. An ophthalmologist can treat this while your child is young to prevent further problems.

Tips to get your child ready for their eye exam

If your child is fine with regular doctor visits, the eye doctor should be easy. Either way, be honest about what will happen and why, so your child knows what to expect and trusts the process. If they are nervous, remind them the whole point is to help them see better, especially the things they love, like pets and games.

Here are a few things you can tell your child before the visit:

The eye doctor will ask you to look at things like toys or shapes and say how well you can see them. You might get to hold your hands up to show what a shape looks like, sometimes one eye at a time, like a pirate.

The eye doctor will also look into your eyes with a little light to make sure they are strong and healthy.

Best of all, the eye doctor will help figure out if something, maybe glasses, will help you see better.

Tips for parents and caregivers before the exam

Before you go, gather your child's medical records, including any current prescriptions, conditions, history, and allergies. And talk through what will happen, like we covered above. It might even turn into a fun little adventure.

Parents are the first line of defense for a child's vision. Make preventive care part of your child's health milestones to support healthy eyes for life.

Don't have a VSP® vision plan yet? Enroll online today and start by finding the right plan for you and your child.

Ready for the next step? Take a look around VSP Direct, compare VSP Individual Vision Plans, or let the VSP Individual Vision Plan Selector match you with a plan in a couple of minutes. You can also see everything a plan includes on the Benefits & Savings page.

Sponsored by VSP. Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Reviewed by Chris A. Smiley, O.D.

Chris Smiley, O.D. is the owner of Vision Professionals, a multi-location private practice in Central Ohio. With more than 25 years of experience, he focuses on comprehensive eye care, early detection of eye disease, dry eye, contact lens fitting, and helping patients maintain clear, comfortable vision.

In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Smiley is a VSP Vision Care provider and serves as a VSP Vision Ambassador, where he works with other doctors to improve patient access to care and promote eye health awareness. He is passionate about helping patients understand the connection between eye health and overall health.