Children's Vision Clinic

We recommend a first comprehensive eye exam before your child starts school, ideally around age four to five, and then annually. Between ages 3 and 14 the visual system is still developing, and conditions like lazy eye (amblyopia), eye turns (strabismus), and focusing problems respond far better to treatment when picked up early.

Yes. Children rarely complain about their vision because they assume everyone sees the way they do, so a problem can go unnoticed until it starts affecting reading, coordination, or confidence at school. A school vision screening checks distance vision only and is not a substitute for a comprehensive exam.

Common signs include squinting or closing one eye, sitting very close to screens or books, tilting or turning the head to see, persistent eye rubbing unrelated to tiredness, complaints of headaches or tired eyes after school, and difficulty concentrating on visual tasks. Any of these is worth an exam.

The appointment is a full hour, which gives your child time to settle and us time to be thorough. We assess how clearly each eye sees, how well the eyes work together and focus, and the health of the eyes themselves. Tests are adapted to your child's age, and nothing requires them to read letters if they are not yet reading.

Yes. Children's comprehensive eye exams are bulk billed for anyone with a valid Medicare card, so there is nothing to pay on the day. If additional testing is clinically indicated, we will explain what it is and what it costs before proceeding, so there are no surprises.

Short-sightedness that increases year on year is called progressive myopia, and there are established approaches to slowing it, including atropine drops, myopia control spectacle lenses, soft contact lenses designed for myopia control, and overnight Ortho-K lenses. Our myopia control clinic covers which of these may suit your child.