Beyond 20/20: The Comprehensive Children’s Eye Exam at Perspective Optometry

At Perspective Optometry, we understand that clear sight is just one part of your child's vision. A child can pass a school screening yet still struggle with critical visual skills needed for reading and learning. Our comprehensive pediatric eye exam, led by Dr. Randhawa, goes deeper than simply checking visual acuity (20/20) to ensure your child’s eyes are fully prepared for success in the classroom and beyond.

What We Test at Perspective Optometry

Our comprehensive exam evaluates not just what your child sees, but how their eyes work together and process visual information. We include specific, functional tests often omitted from basic screenings:

1. Foundational Visual Skills

• Thorough History: We start by taking a thorough patient history, covering general health, developmental milestones, and family ocular history.

• Visual Acuity: We measure how clearly your child can see both in the distance and up close.

• Refractive Errors: We precisely measure for nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism to determine the need for corrective lenses.

• 3D Vision and Depth Perception (Stereopsis): We test your child's 3D vision and depth perception to ensure they can accurately judge distances—essential for hand-eye coordination and sports.

2. Learning-Related Eye Function

These functional tests are critical for classroom success:

• Eye Teaming (Binocular Vision): We assess how well both eyes align and work together as a synchronized team.

• Eye Focusing (Accommodation): We test the eyes' ability to rapidly and accurately adjust focus when shifting between distances (e.g., board to desk).

• Eye Movement (Ocular Motility): We check the eyes' ability to track smoothly and jump accurately from one word to the next—a vital skill for fluent reading.

• Convergence Insufficiency (CI): We perform specific tests for convergence insufficiency, a common, treatable condition where the eyes struggle to turn inward to sustain comfortable near work, leading to eye strain and reading avoidance.

3. Visual Development & Ocular Health

• Ocular Health Check: We perform a complete examination of the health of the eyes, checking the eyelids, corneas, retina, and optic nerve for any diseases, injuries, or subtle signs of systemic health issues.

• Visual Developmental Testing: Depending on the results, additional tests of visual perceptual abilities may be conducted to fully assess your child's total visual status.

Raising the Red Flag: Vision and Learning

We strongly encourage parents to raise any concerns about learning problems during the child's eye exam.

Any reading or learning difficulties should be brought to Dr. Randhawa's attention. A child struggling with schoolwork may not have a learning disability; they may have a treatable vision problem that creates an obstacle to learning. A common example is convergence insufficiency, which makes reading physically difficult. When this is left undiagnosed, a child's avoidance of reading due to fatigue or double vision can be mistakenly labeled as a behavioral or learning issue.

Once testing is complete, Dr. Randhawa will review all findings with you, provide a clear consultation, and offer recommendations for any needed treatment, which may include corrective lenses or a personalized Vision Therapy program.

How to Get Your Child Ready for Their Eye Exam

Preparing your child can help ensure a smooth, cooperative, and successful appointment: