Finding The Right Pediatric Optometrist

How to Find the Right Pediatric Optometrist in Miami, FL

Almost everyone will likely require eyeglasses sooner or later. There are numerous vision problems that a person may develop, but they're generally classified into two categories. The first is myopia (nearsightedness), marked by seeing things up close without a problem. The second is hyperopia (farsightedness), which allows one to see far away things while nearby objects appear blurred. Other childhood vision problems include crossed eyes, lazy eyes, and convergence insufficiency. Do you want to ensure that your child's eye and vision health get the protection they need? If you reside in Miami, Florida, here are some tips to help you find the right pediatric optometrist in your area:

Determine Your Kid's Eye Care Needs

First, you have to find out what eye care services are needed. A pediatric optometrist is a type of eye doctor or doctor of optometry specializing in children's eye health. They've completed additional training and education and are experienced working with kids. They're skilled at performing child-friendly eye examinations and treating child-specific eye problems. Your child may be referred to a pediatric optometrist when your pediatrician or general optometrist finds that specialized eye care is necessary.

Get Recommendations From Reliable Sources

Reach out to your current pediatrician or general optometrist for any referrals. Also, talk to your relatives, friends, and colleagues as they may recommend a pediatric optometrist. They would know firsthand how the eye doctor treats them and their kids.

Conduct Thorough Online Research

Personal referrals and recommendations are often the tried and tested source of accurate information. Once you have the names of potential pediatric optometrists to work with, you can narrow the list by looking into their expertise, experience, and excellence. To verify their credentials, you may contact the local state board of optometry in Florida.

Review Your Insurance Plan

Does your insurance provider have a list of eye doctors who are covered? If so, that's another excellent place to start finding matches with the eye doctors you've obtained from referrals, recommendations, and online research.

When Should Your Child See an Eye Doctor?

Research suggests that one in four children struggle with vision problems. Yet, almost half of parents with kids aged 12 or younger haven't taken them to an eye doctor. Experts recommend that your child starts getting their eye examinations as early as six months old. Even if their eyes and vision seem fine, your kid still has to see their eye doctor at three years old. Then, once more, right before starting first grade. You have to schedule regular eye exams every couple of years as soon as they turn five until they're 18. Those who have a family history of eye diseases and vision problems likely have to visit their eye doctor more often.

What to Expect During Your Visit?

During your appointment, the pediatric optometrist will likely want to dilate your child's pupils before the eye examination. This way, they can look inside their eyes and ensure that they're healthy. The eye doctor will then run a series of tests to determine how well your child can see from various distances. They will also examine their pupil function and eye movement.

Don't wait for vision changes to occur before you take your child for a comprehensive eye exam. Schedule your consultation today with our team of experts in Lifetime Vision and Eye Care. Call us at our office now in Miami Gardens, Florida at (305) 902-3320 today to book your appointment.