A pediatric eye exam helps detect eye problems in your child at their earliest stage — when they’re most treatable. Several factors may determine how frequently your child needs an eye exam, including age, health and risk of developing eye problems.
General guidelines include:
• Children 5 years and younger:
For children under age 3, your pediatrician will likely look for the most common eye problems — lazy eye, crossed eyes or turned-out eyes. Depending on your child’s willingness to cooperate, his or her first, more comprehensive eye exam should be done between the ages of 3 and 5.
• School-age children and adolescents:
Have your child’s vision checked before he or she enters first grade. If your child has no symptoms of vision problems and you don’t have a family history of vision problems, have your child’s vision re-checked every two years. If your child does have vision problems or a family history of vision problems, have your child’s vision re-checked as advised by your eye doctor.
— Source: Mayo Clinic