Frequently Asked Questions:

At what age should a child have their first eye examination?

The following represents the recommendations of the American Optometric Association (www.aoa.org) for regular eye care for patients with and without risk factors.

Examination Interval
Patient Age	No Symptoms/No Risk Factors	Risk Factors
Birth to 24 months	By six months of age	By six months of age or as recommended
Two to five years-old	At three years of age	At three years of age or as recommended
Six to 18 years-old	Before first grade and every two years thereafter	Annually or as recommended
18 — 40 years-old	Every two to three years	Every one to two years or as recommended
41 — 60 years-old	Every two years	Every one to two years or as recommended
61 and older years-old	Annually	Annually or as recommended

Infant Risk Factors:

Born prematurely with low birth weight
Birth mother with rubella, venereal disease, AIDS-related infection or history of substance abuse or other health related problems
Family history of eye disease, crossed eyes or congenital eye problems

School-Aged Children Risk Factors:

Failing to progress academically or exhibiting reading or learning difficulties

6/2008