Children
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American
Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
recommend that a pediatrician or family physician examine infants in the
nursery and that high-risk infants be examined by an ophthalmologist. Children’s
eyes should be screened by their pediatrician, family physician, or ophthalmologist
at ages six months, three and one-half years, and five years. After that,
screening should be performed at routine school examinations or if eye
symptoms are present. Routine examinations by an ophthalmologist are not
of significant benefit.
Who
Should Examine My Eyes?
Eye examinations are performed by eye doctors--ophthalmologists
(eye MDs) or optometrists (doctorates of optometry). In some cases, assistants
or technicians may perform portions of the examination. In general, the
quality of the examination depends on the training, experience, and intelligence
of the examiner, as well as the thoroughness and duration of examination.
Examination
Preparation
Remember to bring a list of all your medications. If your
history is complicated, old medical records or a report from your previous
doctor can be invaluable. If you anticipate that the doctor will dilate
your pupils (ask about this at the time you schedule the appointment),
plan on not driving for four hours after the examination. Clarify with
the doctor’s office your insurance coverage and the procedure that you
and the doctor must follow to obtain optimum insurance coverage for the
visit. In particular, if your insurer requires pre-certification, make
sure the doctor’s office has this before you are seen.
The Eye
Examination
