Eye examinations for infants and children are extremely important, but parents are often unaware of when to make that first appointment. Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, can cause permanent irreversible loss of vision if not diagnosed and treated at a young age. Strabismus, or crossed eye, is best corrected at an early age as well. 1 in 4 school age children has an undiagnosed vision problem that interferes with learning. Children may receive vision screenings, but these are not substitutes for a comprehensive eye examination by a doctor of optometry.

A newborn's visual system is immature and change occurs rapidly during infancy and early childhood. Certain developmental milestones should be reached by 6 months of age and this is the recommended time for a child's first eye assessment. Sharpness of vision, eye muscle coordination, and eye health should be evaluated to ensure that continued good vision develops. Age 3 is a time in development when lazy eye, eye muscle alignment, power abnormalities of the eye, and ocular health again should be assessed. New examination techniques and equipment allow a very comprehensive eye examination to be performed at this age. The younger a child is when certain eye problems are identified and treated, the better the chances are of a successful outcome.