Editor’s note: Ever wonder what the optometrist is looking at when she looks into your child’s eyes? Whether your child’s vision is up to par? Here’s a thorough look at children’s vision and vision exams from Kristina Tarczy-Hornoch, M.D., director of the Vision Development Institute at The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. The Vision Center is an international referral center for children afflicted with all forms of eye disease and provides both inpatient and outpatient services. It is the largest pediatric ophthalmology program in the nation.

Does your child have an eye problem that has gone undiagnosed?

Some parents, particularly those who are uninsured, may be tempted to wait until their child is examined under a school-district program. However, school screening sometimes leads to late diagnosis of vision problems, and may not identify all types of vision problems.

While your family physician or pediatrician can perform some basic parts of the eye exam, if you have any doubts about your child’s vision, you should obtain a comprehensive eye examination from either an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor specializing in diseases and surgeries of the eye) or an optometrist (an eye care provider with a degree in optometry). These vision specialists will have advanced tools and procedures to complete a thorough examination of your child’s eyes. Reasons to get a comprehensive eye exam include abnormal eye movements, crossed or drifting eyes, or failing to make or maintain eye contact at an early age. Read on …