When Should Children Have Their First Eye Exam?
Many parents are surprised to learn how early a child should get their first eye exam. It’s easy to assume you wait until preschool or when a kid can read an eye chart. In reality, experts recommend an eye check-up much earlier – even in infancy. Let’s break down when that first exam should happen and why it’s so important.
Recommended Age for a Child’s First Eye Exam
The ideal time for a child’s first comprehensive eye exam is around 6 months of age. In the United States, the American Optometric Association (AOA, 2022) advises that infants have their first full eye examination at about 6 months old (Alameda Eyes Optometry, 2025). Similarly, the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends babies get their first exam between 6 and 9 months of age (Canadian Association of Optometrists et al., 2013). This early exam checks that a baby’s eyes are developing properly and can catch any early signs of problems.
Here is a great guide from the CAO on the frequency of eye examinations.
Here is a general eye exam timeline for kids, based on expert guidelines (Alameda Eyes Optometry, 2025), (Canadian Association of Optometrists et al., 2013):
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First comprehensive eye exam (even if no issues are suspected).
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Second exam to ensure vision and eye alignment are on track.
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Third exam before starting school, to catch issues that could affect learning.
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Regular eye exams every one to two years if vision is normal and no risk factors. Children who already wear glasses or have eye conditions may need check-ups every year or as advised by the doctor.
These milestones are endorsed by organizations like the AOA and CAO in North America. Of course, individual needs can vary. Kids with a family history of eye problems or signs of issues might need earlier or more frequent exams.
Why Early Eye Exams Matter
Vision is critical for learning and development: Experts estimate that roughly 80% of a child’s learning and development comes through their eyes (UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, 2025). Even as early as infancy, babies are using vision to learn about the world. By school age, so much of classroom learning is visual. If a child can’t see well, it can affect their understanding of concepts, participation in class, and even their confidence. Studies have linked uncorrected vision issues to developmental delays and poorer performance in school (UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, 2025).
Kids often won’t complain about vision problems: Young children usually don’t realize when something is wrong with their eyesight. They might think everyone sees the world the way they do. So you generally won’t hear an infant or toddler say “My vision is blurry.” In fact, many vision disorders go undiagnosed because children rarely voice a complaint, and the signs can be subtle (Prevent Blindness, 2025). A toddler might adapt by favoring one eye or sitting closer to the TV, but to parents and teachers they may seem fine. That’s why an eye exam is crucial even if your child isn’t telling you anything seems wrong.
Early detection can prevent permanent vision loss: Some eye conditions need to be addressed early in childhood to avoid long-term damage. A prime example is amblyopia (lazy eye), where one eye’s vision is weaker. If amblyopia isn’t treated in the early years (with glasses or patching, for instance), the weaker eye may never develop good vision, leading to permanent sight loss in that eye. According to pediatric vision experts, certain vision problems that are easily treatable in a young child can become irreversible if left untreated until later (Prevent Blindness, 2025). By catching issues like amblyopia, strabismus (eye misalignment), or significant refractive errors (nearsightedness/farsightedness) early, doctors can intervene during the window when a child’s visual system is still developing. Early treatment often means a better outcome – for example, correcting a child’s vision with glasses can literally help their brain develop normal vision pathways during that critical period.
In conclusion, in North America, the consensus is to have a baby’s eyes examined around six months of age to make sure everything is developing normally. After that, continue with periodic eye exams (at age 3, around school entry, and regularly thereafter) to keep their vision on track. This proactive approach is supported by real data; catching and treating issues early can dramatically improve a child’s sight and even their success in school and life
