Children are known for being somewhat accident prone. They may tell you when something hurts but it’s a rarity when a child tells his or her parent that they cannot see or when images are blurry. For this reason, many parents question their doctors about when is the right time to take their child for an eye exam. While some children may have tell-tale signs, others do not. So, when is there correct time to take your child to the doctor for glasses?

First of all, there is no correct time frame for taking your child to the ophthalmologist. That’s right, you should always take your child to an ophthalmologist for their very first eye exam. Ophthalmologists can diagnose optic disorders whereas optometrists cannot. An ophthalmologist can do all the same things as an optometrist - including writing a script for prescription glasses.

Second, most kids should see the eye doctor before first grade starts. A doctor can properly test their peripheral vision and make sure their eyes are in tip-top shape. On average, children in the United States have their eyes checked for the first time for eyeglasses by age seven. However, the age recommended by the American Ophthalmological Association (AOA) is six-months-old.

Lastly, there are tell-tale signs that your child needs prescription eyeglasses. If your toddler is missing the mark on their colors or not fully recognizing pictures or words, it may be time to have his or her eye’s checked. Another sign is a lot more apparent - if your child tells you that things look fuzzy or blurry, they need to see an ophthalmologist. While children may not be the best at communicating their thoughts and feelings, sometimes they can really surprise you.