Pediatric Eye Care in North Andover MA
A child’s eyes and vision change constantly as they grow. Any problems that go unnoticed in this stage can affect more than just eyesight. At Family Eye Care in North Andover MA, Dr. Patti A. Richard and Dr. Alyssa M. Jann provide ocular evaluations specifically designed for children, catching developmental issues early while they are relatively simple to treat.
How is Pediatric Eye Care Different from Adult Eye Care?
A child’s ocular system is still developing. Any eye exam for them must account for that and requires adjustments that adult eye exams do not. Younger children often cannot describe what they see or reliably read the letters on a standard Snellen chart.
Pediatric exams rely on age-appropriate methods instead. Picture-based charts and behavioral observation often give an accurate idea of a child’s vision.
At Family Eye Care, we also understand that timing matters in pediatric care. Several vision problems common at their age have a time window for effective treatment. This window closes as the child gets older. For children, early and regular eye exams carry more weight than treatment and evaluation for an adult’s stabilized vision.
Why School Vision Screenings are not a Substitute
Many schools offer basic vision screenings. While useful, they are not the same as a professional pediatric eye exam. School screenings check visual acuity, which measures distance vision clarity. However, they often miss focusing problems and the inability of both eyes to work together.
Recommended Eye Exam Schedule for Children
To protect a child’s visual development, eye-exam schedules are based on age and key milestones. Clinical and professional recommendations mention getting an eye exam:
- Around 6 months old – An early exam to check basic eye health and alignment issues that can appear in infancy
- Around age 3 – Screening for early signs of lazy eye, crossed eyes, or any significant refractive errors
- Before starting school – A comprehensive evaluation around age 5 or 6. This helps confirm a child’s visual readiness for the demands of a classroom
- Annually after that – Yearly exams help catch developing issues early, especially useful since children’s prescriptions and eye health shift quickly during school years
Common Vision Problems in Children
In pediatric care, vision problems matter because a child’s visual system is actively developing. Left untreated, they may lead to permanent optical changes. Common visual problems among children can be categorized into three areas:
- Refractive Errors – Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, which cause distorted, blurry or stretched vision at all distances
- Functional Disorders – Lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes (strabismus), and convergence insufficiency, a coordination problem where eyes struggle to turn inward when looking at a book, causing double vision and ocular fatigue.
- Medical Conditions – Pink eye (conjunctivitis) and blocked tear ducts, which are very common in newborns and infants. Styes or chalazia are also included.
Signs your Child may have a Vision Problem
Kids often assume everyone sees the way they do, so they may not know if their vision is off. A few signs to look for include:
- Squinting or tilting the head to see better
- Avoiding reading, or frequently losing their place while reading
- Sitting very close to the TV, holding books or screens very close to their eyes
- One eye that appears to wander or turn inward or outward
- Frequent complaints of headaches or eye rubbing
- Closing or covering one eye to see things more clearly
These are general signs and, on their own, not necessarily a cause for alarm. However, a frequent pattern including them is worth evaluating.
Treatment Options in Pediatric Eye Care
At Family Eye Care, treatment options in pediatric care focus on protecting visual development while the brain and eyes are still learning to work in tandem. A child’s visual system is highly adaptable, and early treatment can correct issues before they become permanent.
Pediatric eye treatments can be broadly classified into four categories:
- Refractive Correction – This is the most common treatment used to correct physical focusing issues. Typical interventions include pediatric eyeglasses with specialized prism lenses and pediatric contact lenses.
- Occlusion Therapy – This is used to treat lazy eye. Techniques like adhesive patching and atropine drops temporarily reduce the dominant eye, helping the brain rewire neural pathways to strengthen the weaker eye.
- Optometric Vision Therapy – Often described as a physical therapy for the eyes and brain, it involves home exercises using specialized computer software. This treatment is highly effective for convergence insufficiency and general tracking or alignment issues.
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Care – Commonly used to resolve conditions like pink eye, severe allergies, or corneal scratches, using ointment or eye drops. It also includes clearing blocked tear ducts for infants.
In cases requiring microsurgery to treat conditions like crossed eyes, Dr. Patti A. Richard and Dr. Alyssa M. Jann or FULL NAME1* provide a referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist, since that falls outside standard pediatric optometric treatment.
What Happens During a Pediatric Eye Appointment?
The eye exam is paced to fit your child’s comfort level and age. For younger children, an exam often involves picture-based charts instead of standard reading letters. We also evaluate how their eyes work and track movement.
Dr. Patti A. Richard and Dr. Alyssa M. Jann or FULL NAME1* will check visual acuity, eye alignment, and overall ocular health. Based on the findings, we will write a prescription if needed. This appointment is also a chance for you to mention any signs you may have noticed at home or any concerns you have.
Payment and Insurance
Family Eye Care accepts VSP Vision Insurance along with a range of other plans. You can reach out to us regarding questions about your specific coverage before your child’s visit. We accept all standard payment instruments, including cash and cards.
Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today!
Have you noticed one of your child’s eyes wandering or them struggling to read? Contact Family Eye Care and schedule a comprehensive pediatric eye exam. Call or visit our office today.
Contact Information
Family Eye Care
555 Turnpike St STE 56
Phone: (978) 681-1111
