Family Eye Care and Children's Eye Center of New Mexico

An adult usually notices when there is a change in their vision. But children rarely notice a change in their vision. If a child’s eyesight decreases their brain will automatically ignore the change and use their other eye for seeing.

Pediatric eye doctors may use various tests to evaluate your child’s vision. In very young children and babies we will look for differences in the shape of the eyes. We will look for differences in the way light is reflected from the eye. When you take a picture of your child, the “red eye” can be seen. This is a valuable tool we use to evaluate vision.

When your doctor uses a light to check your child’s eyes, the red reflex your doctor sees may change because of something affecting the vision. The most common reason for this is that there is more farsightedness or astigmatism in one eye. Having strabismus (eye misalignment) can also change the red reflex. Less commonly, a cataract, or something in the eye, such as a tumor like retinoblastoma, can block the vision and change the red reflex. Sometimes parents notice a big change in redness between the eyes when they take pictures of their children. When they show the picture to a doctor, he/she can use it to evaluate vision.

Other screening tests we may use in older children may include reading letters or pictures on a white background. We may also check color vision and for “3D” stereo vision. Stereo vision is the type of vision needed to enjoy a 3D movie. Problems with stereo vision may mean the eyes are crossing or there is vision loss in one eye.

Your doctor will probably use drops to dilate your child’s pupils. Dilation requires an extra half hour or more for the drops to work. Please be prepared to spend 1 ½ to 2 hours in the office for your child’s first visit.