Eye exams are important for children because they can help diagnose conditions that require treatment during childhood in order to get best results and they can spot vision problems that may interfere with schoolwork. In fact, undiagnosed vision deficits can have a significant effect on a child’s ability to perform well in school and corrective measures, like glasses, may make a world of difference. When the eye exam takes place at the pediatrician’s office, it is minor in scope and usually doesn’t require preparation. However it may be helpful to prepare a child for an eye exam that occurs at an optometrist or ophthalmologist’s office, since these exams are more extensive.

The reason kids may require preparation is because the exam benefits from children being able to sit fairly still and tends to go better when kids aren’t scared. The unfamiliar can be scary so it’s valuable to prepare a child for an eye exam by explaining what will occur and answering any questions. The fortunate aspect of most eye exams is that they are not painful, unless the exam is to evaluate an eye injury. This means that once kids understand what will occur, there are few reasons for them to be frightened or worried about the exam, though shy children may continue to be concerned.

Age matters when parents prepare a child for an eye exam. Younger children under the age of five shouldn’t probably be told much about the exam until right before it occurs. Children under five are not likely to remember much of preparation conversations, and usually don’t understand time completely. Kids in the five to eight age group might benefit from being told the day of the exam, perhaps a few hours before the procedure. Kids over eight may be told a day or two before, provided they won’t spend the time worrying.

To help prepare a child for an eye exam, give children general information about what will occur. Let them know that the exam isn’t likely to hurt and that mostly, they’ll be looking at pictures of things like letters, numbers and shapes, and telling the doctor what they see. They might have some drops placed in their eyes, but these are also painless. Concerned kids can be reassured when parents guarantee they’ll be with their kids the whole time, and older kids may not wish their parents in the room with them. Parents of teens may need to promise to stay outside during the exam.

For kids who are really traumatized by doctors, there is one extra way to prepare a child for an eye exam. Schedule an eye exam for either parent or an older child and let the worried child attend. A patient doctor might be willing to field a question or two from the child as a parent or sibling’s eyes are examined. Showing a child what occurs and that it is painless can help alleviate concerns.