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It’s back-to-school time again, and you’ve started writing your list of things that need to be done before your child steps back into school. From finding the right fall attire to scourging through stores to get the last box of colored pencils, you might need to add one thing: scheduling your child’s eye exam.
While looking for an eye exam, have you considered choosing a pediatric eye doctor? The benefits of choosing this type of ophthalmologist are more than meets the eye, such as:
Children are not exactly eager to see a doctor, even for a routine check-up. Sometimes they feel nervous or even afraid because they can associate “doctor” with “something wrong.” A pediatric eye doctor knows exactly how to create a calming atmosphere and put a child at ease as they walk them through each step. Some even go as far as decorating the exam rooms with toys, books, and other bright features simply because they want the children to have fun during it all.
Dr. Hayley Klein, MD, pediatric ophthalmologist at our Fort Mill, SC office, understands the value in creating a pleasant atmosphere for her young patients. “By making sure a child has a positive experience at their eye exam, we feel like we are laying groundwork for all future experiences with their doctors.”
This isn’t to say that children have their own unique language (at least past the babbling stage) or that traditional ophthalmologists don’t know how to talk to them. With that said, pediatric eye doctors are extensively trained in how to lead children to indicate what’s wrong with them verbally or nonverbally even if they can’t quite articulate it themselves. After all, not every child knows the difference between a pupil and iris.
Beyond simple tests like following a finger, a pediatric ophthalmologist relies on specific tools and techniques to examine and diagnose children’s eyes. For younger kids, tools such as a lens bar, retinoscope, and a fun fixation object can lead to an easier diagnosis. Older children will begin to undergo similar exam procedures like adults, but these are all optimal for parents who are bringing new child patients in for the first time.
A pediatric eye doctor can do more than just provide comprehensive eye exams. They can also diagnose many conditions that are more prevalent in children. These can include:
Getting your child ready for the upcoming school year can be stressful enough, which is why you need specialized pediatric eye doctors who can make sure your little one can see the world around them. Our Fort Mill, Blakeney, SouthPark, Belmont, Statesville, Matthews, Huntersville, and University locations feature many well-trained eye care physicians like Dr. Hayley Klein who are fellowship-trained to examine, diagnose, and treat many symptoms children come across as they grow up. Schedule an appointment today so your kid can see the CEENTA difference!
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. New patients can make appointments online with our Eye doctors in North and South Carolina. Current patients can also make appointments through myCEENTAchart with physicians they have already seen.
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