As a parent, you want to give your child every advantage, starting with healthy eyes and clear vision. At McPeak Optometry, we take pride in thorough, child-friendly eye exams designed to support learning, development, and lifelong eye health.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Eye Exam
Bringing your child for their first eye exam? You can expect a welcoming, upbeat environment where we work hard to keep kids comfortable and relaxed.
Dr. McPeak uses lots of “special flashlights” and fun lights to check vision and eye health—making the process as enjoyable as possible. For younger children, we rarely use eye drops unless absolutely necessary and always communicate clearly with parents.
What Do We Screen For?
During a pediatric eye exam, we check for:
- Amblyopia (“lazy eye”): When one eye doesn’t develop as well as the other
- Refractive errors: Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness, and astigmatism, all of which can affect reading and classroom performance
- Eye health: Dr. McPeak examines the inside of the eye to look for any diseases or health concerns
Our main goal is to make sure your child’s eyes are working well together putting them in the best position to learn, read, and thrive at school.
Myopia & Astigmatism: What if My Child Needs Glasses?
If your child is nearsighted (myopia), has astigmatism, or another correctable vision problem, we usually start with glasses. Glasses can quickly improve reading, classroom participation, and confidence. For children with myopia, Dr. McPeak sometimes prescribes special contact lenses (such as multifocal lenses) to help slow the progression of nearsightedness.
If your child benefits from vision therapy or training, we’ll refer you to trusted local specialists—so every child gets the right support, even beyond our office.
When Should Kids Get Their Eyes Checked?
Even if your child “passes” a school screening or seems to see well, annual eye exams are important. As Dr. McPeak shares from personal experience, subtle signs like holding books too close or trouble focusing can be early clues—early glasses made all the difference for his own daughter’s success in school!
What Behaviors Should Parents Watch For?
Keep an eye out for:
- One eye turning in or out (eye crossing or drifting)
- Holding things very close to the face
- Complaints of blurry vision, headaches, or eye strain
- Struggles with reading or focusing on schoolwork
If you notice these, schedule an exam—early intervention can make a huge difference.
Book Your Child’s Eye Exam at McPeak Optometry
A thorough pediatric eye exam sets your child up for success in and out of the classroom.
Ready to schedule? Call us today or schedule your appointment online.