Reasons to Visit Your Pediatric Optometrist in Las Vegas, NV
Kids are not just miniature grown-ups. The visual system of children of all ages, from infants to teenagers, has unique needs; they are at risk for different eye conditions than an adult. Our pediatric optometrist is specially qualified and experienced in checking and treating kids’ eyes. If you are reading this and thinking to yourself – My child isn’t complaining… so why should we schedule a pediatric eye exam?, Dr. David Yesnick has a number of reasons to share with you! Read on to learn why it is essential to visit our Las Vegas pediatric optometrist.
Eye Exams Prevent Problems
Often, kids don’t complain when they can’t see well. They just get used to how their world looks and adapt. However, an undetected and untreated vision condition can interfere with their ability to learn, disrupt behavior, affect social skills, and compromise performance on the sports field. In sum, vision problems can have a huge effect on all parts of childhood! When you bring your child to a pediatric optometrist for a general eye check-up, you are helping to prevent all of these challenges.
Vision Testing is More Than Reading a Wall Chart
To set the record straight, we want you to be aware that a thorough eye exam by our pediatric optometrist in Las Vegas, NV, is not the same thing as a vision screening done in school. Vision testing in school is generally done by a nurse or teacher and not by a qualified eye care specialist. Also, while it can indicate a need for prescription eyewear to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, this type of basic testing cannot diagnose conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (misaligned eyes), convergence problems, and trouble with accommodation (focusing). Many vision disorders that our pediatric optometrist may diagnose require treatment with vision therapy or a treatment other than eyewear.
School vision screening also does not inspect ocular health for any abnormalities or signs of disease. Using high-powered magnification, we will inspect the inner eye structure, retinal tissues, and optic nerve.
Red and Itchy Eyes? Your Child May Have Eye Allergies
If your child experiences eye irritation, such as redness, itchiness, or swelling, it could be due to eye allergies. Dr. Yesnick will examine kids’ eyes gently to make a diagnosis and offer effective treatment. A pediatric eye exam is the only reliable way to diagnose the precise problem, because the same set of symptoms can point to various conditions. Eye allergies, eye infection, dry eye, and computer vision can all cause tired, red, watery, and irritated eyes. Once our pediatric optometrist verifies the diagnosis, then we can match the most suitable treatment to relieve your child’s eye pain.
Warning Signs that Kids Need an Eye Exam ASAP
If you notice any of the following behaviors or symptoms, then we encourage you to call and schedule a kid’s eye exam without delay! Being proactive with your child’s vision care is one of the best ways to protect him or her from unnecessary struggles in school and with friends.
- Squinting, or closing one eye to see
- Inability to hold a steady gaze
- Poor tracking skills
- Avoidance of reading
- Wandering eye, or crossed eyes
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Excessive blinking
- Head tilting or turning
- Short attention span
- Droopy eyelid
- Red or swollen eyes/eyelids
Dr. Yesnick welcomes kids (and their parents) to visit Yesnick Vision Center for friendly service and expert pediatric eye care in Las Vegas!
