Enrolling your child in preschool is an exciting milestone! As you gather school supplies, medical records, and immunization forms, don’t forget an essential step in preparing your child for success – a comprehensive eye exam.

Many parents assume that a quick vision screening at the pediatrician’s office or school is enough to detect vision problems, but these basic tests can miss up to 60% of eye conditions in young children. A comprehensive eye exam with the doctors at Bissell Eye Care will ensure your child has the clear vision and visual skills they need for learning, socializing, and exploring the world around them.

According to the American Optometric Association, “Every experience a preschooler has is an opportunity for growth and development. They use their vision to guide other learning experiences. From ages 2 to 5, a child will be fine-tuning the visual abilities gained during infancy and developing new ones.”

Vision is Crucial for Early Learning

Did you know that 80% of what a child learns is processed through their eyes? Preschoolers rely on their vision for:

• Recognizing letters, numbers, and shapes
• Following along in books and recognizing pictures
• Developing hand-eye coordination for coloring, puzzles, and crafts
• Interacting with teachers and classmates

Even minor vision issues can affect a child’s ability to learn, focus, and participate in activities, potentially leading to frustration or misdiagnosed learning difficulties.

Undetected Vision Problems Can Affect Development

Children often don’t realize they have vision problems because they assume everyone sees the same way. If an issue goes undiagnosed, it can impact:

• Depth perception – Difficulty judging distances when playing or climbing
• Hand-eye coordination – Struggles with catching a ball, stacking blocks, or using scissors
• Attention span – Avoiding close-up tasks or becoming easily distracted
• Confidence – Hesitation in participating in group activities due to blurred vision

Common vision problems in preschoolers include:

• Nearsightedness (myopia) – Difficulty seeing objects far away
• Farsightedness (hyperopia) – Trouble focusing on close-up activities
• Astigmatism – Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
• Amblyopia (lazy eye) – Reduced vision in one eye that can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated
• Strabismus (crossed eyes) – Eyes that don’t align properly, which can cause double vision and affect depth perception

Early detection is key to successful treatment!

Vision Screenings Are Not a Substitute for a Comprehensive Eye Exam. While pediatricians or schools may perform basic vision screenings, these tests only check for obvious vision issues. They do not assess eye health, focusing ability, or depth perception—all crucial for a child’s development.

A comprehensive eye exam includes:

• A full eye health evaluation
• Testing for eye alignment and coordination
• Checking for refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism)
• Assessing depth perception and color vision

If your child does need glasses, starting early can help them adjust quickly and avoid unnecessary struggles in school.

When Should Your Child Have Their First Eye Exam?

• 6-12 months – The first comprehensive eye exam is recommended to ensure normal development.
• 3-5 years – A preschool eye exam checks for vision problems before starting school.
• Before Kindergarten – An exam before formal schooling ensures clear vision for learning.

After the preschool years, children should have an eye exam at least once a year, as their vision can change rapidly as they grow.

Now is the perfect time to schedule your child’s comprehensive eye exam. Healthy vision and strong visual skills will help them thrive in the classroom and beyond! Call our offices at 724-443-6767 or 724-226-0744 today to schedule your child’s appointment.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.