Children’s Eye Health & Safety
Date: 08/20/25
Keep Your Child’s Eyes Healthy and Safe
Summer is ending, and it’s almost time for your kids to go back to school. This is a great time to get their eyes checked. August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, so it’s the perfect time for a yearly eye exam! Let’s look at some common questions about keeping kids’ eyes healthy and safe.
When should my child have their first eye exam?
It’s recommended that your child should have their first eye exam when they are 6 months old. This helps make sure their eyes are developing normally. After that, your child should have an eye exam once a year.
Why should my child get an eye exam every year?
Kids’ bodies grow and change, including their vision. While your child may have good eyesight now, this does not mean this can’t change over time. Seeing an eye doctor can prevent common pediatric eye conditions, such as lazy eyes or vision loss.
Remember, your child might not tell you if they have blurry vision. They might not know something is wrong! To prevent their symptoms from going unnoticed, take them to an eye doctor every year.
MHS members receive one routine vision exam every year, so you can take them at little to no cost to you.
My child got a vision screening at school. Do I still have to take them to the doctor?
Some schools conduct vision screenings to look for problems that can prevent a child’s ability to learn in the classroom. A vision screening is not the same as a comprehensive eye exam. Vision screenings do not check for everything an eye exam performed by a doctor does. Your child may pass the vision screening but still have other issues with their vision. It is still recommended you schedule an eye exam with your doctor.
Need to find one? Use our Find a Provider tool!
What happens during a child’s eye exam?
Going to a new doctor can be scary. Take some time to explain what will happen during the exam so your child knows what to expect, if they are old enough to understand. While specific tests will vary depending on the child’s age, in general a comprehensive exam tests for:
Eye tracking: Making sure your eyes can follow a line of text on a page or follow an object like a ball in the air.
Eye focusing: Switching focus between objects that are close and far away.
Eye-hand coordination: Moving your hands when drawing a picture or moving an object.
Eye teaming: Using both eyes together.
Your child may be asked to read letters off a page or identify photographs, shining light into the eyes, or touching near or around the eye (but never the eyeball itself). These tests might be surprising, but they do no damage or harm to your child’s eye.
Can my child go to daycare or school after their exam?
Your child should be ready to go back to school or daycare after their exam! If they can’t, that will be something your doctor will tell you. Always talk to your doctor about your child’s vision and eye health.
What if my child needs glasses?
If your child needs glasses, MHS has you covered. MHS members receive new eyeglasses after their exams once every year. Replacement glasses or frames are available as determined by your doctor. Members can also get additional eye tests and treatment for eye diseases or diseases that affect your eye if your doctor finds it necessary.
Pediatric health doesn’t end with eye exams. Every year, thousands of kids have eye injuries. This can come from at home, at play and in sports. Did you know that 9 out of 10 of those injuries could have been prevented?
Parents and guardians act as the first line of defense for keeping their kids’ eyes safe. Here are some simple tips to prevent injury:
Make sure they wear the appropriate protective eyewear for their sport.
Avoid any toys that have darts, pellets or other flying pieces.
Teach your child to use pointed household objects safely. (This can include scissors, forks and pencils!)
Wear sunglasses outdoors to prevent UV damage.
Take regular breaks from using a computer, smartphone or screen to prevent eyestrain.
As the new school year gets closer, making sure your child’s eyes are healthy is a great way to help them do well in school and at home. Getting an eye exam every year can find changes in their vision and help stop bigger problems before they start. You can also protect their eyes by doing simple things like wearing safety glasses and taking breaks from screens. Healthy eyes help your child see clearly every day!