How early does my child need an eye check up?

Some common indirect pointers to the presence of vision problems in children are repeated watering of eyes, squeezing of eyes, frequent rubbing of eyes, habit of keeping visual targets at close distance, headaches, adoption of abnormal head postures. In very young children, gross discrepancy of vision between the two eyes can be tested by covering one eye at a time, in a subtle manner. Observation of delayed visual milestones should prompt an early eye check up. Presence of deviation of eyes, nystagmus (to and fro movements of the eyes), abnormal head postures, roving eye movements are often associated with amblyopia.

These conditions require an urgent consult. In the absence of any of the above problems, we still recommend that every child should have a routine eye check up at around 3 years of age. Vision screening should be made mandatory at the time of school admission. It should be followed by annual routine check ups.