A question of age: When should I take my child to the eye doctor?

The first eye examination for children should take place in early childhood to ensure that possible vision problems can be identified and treated early. Eye tests are also carried out during the U examinations, but many visual impairments still go undetected.

In contrast to many other European countries, additional early detection eye examinations are only paid for by a few health insurance companies in Germany. However, the earlier a problem is detected, the better it can be treated. Investing in a visit to the eye doctor's practice is therefore worthwhile. You can find out how to find a great practice with a good team in this article .

Here are some guidelines on when to take your child to the pediatric ophthalmologist:

1. Infancy: 6 months to 1 year

It is recommended that you take your child for their first eye examination at around six months of age if there is an increased risk of vision problems or eye diseases. This group particularly includes children born prematurely, children with developmental delays or children from families with known eye diseases.

The pediatric ophthalmologist can perform basic, simple tests early on to determine whether eye development is normal or whether there are serious vision problems or abnormalities.

2. Toddler age: 2.5 to 3.5 years

At the latest, by the age of two and a half to three and a half years, small children should be taken to an ophthalmologist's office, even if there is no suspicion of eye problems. This makes it possible to diagnose and treat subtle squinting or early vision problems at an early stage. One-sided defects are often detected late because the healthy eye can initially compensate for the weakness.

3. Preschool age: about 5 years

When your child reaches preschool age, it is advisable to have another eye exam. At this age, vision problems such as strabismus or farsightedness can arise, which can affect visual development and therefore also affect learning.

4. Immediately before starting school: about 6 years

Another eye exam before school starts is important to ensure your child starts school with optimal vision. Good vision is crucial for participating in classes and other activities.

The school entrance examination - also called S1 or SEU - is a mandatory examination in which vision is also checked. The respective doctors check the visual acuity, spatial vision and color vision. If there are any abnormalities, it is recommended that the child be seen by an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist will examine the child's vision in more detail and decide whether glasses, contact lenses or other treatment is needed.

5. During school time: every 1 to 2 years

Regular eye exams should be performed during school years, usually every one to two years. This will help ensure that any vision problems are detected early and that your child's vision does not deteriorate.

During school years, the child's vision changes: they spend less time outside and look more at books, screens or other close-up teaching materials, which requires a higher level of eye precision. Undetected visual impairments can lead to difficulties in reading and learning and therefore to great frustration for the child.

6. If you experience any signs of vision problems: immediately

Regardless of your child's age, you should consider an eye exam immediately if you notice signs of vision problems. These include frequent rubbing of the eyes, frequent blinking, problems recognizing objects at a distance or close up, headaches, or other eye problems such as eye tremors, corneal clouding, gray-white pupils, large eyes that are afraid of light, or eyelid changes, especially drooping eyelids that cover the pupil. But clumsiness, confusing spoon and fork when eating, or reaching past toys can also be signs of poor vision.

Remember that these guidelines are general recommendations. If you have concerns about your child's eye health or questions about the appropriate time for an exam, you should contact a pediatric ophthalmologist or your pediatrician. Early prevention and regular exams are critical to ensuring your child's optimal eye health.