A vision test is a standardized examination used to evaluate and monitor a child’s vision and to detect potential diseases or disorders that may affect the eyes. A pediatrician, ophthalmologist (eye physician) or other trained eye specialist will regularly perform various tests of a child’s vision from the time a child is born until around the age of 5 years, with checkups every year or two years.

Vision problems affect more than 12 million children in the United States. Left untreated, these problems can lead to permanent vision loss, or to less serious but still substantial problems such as learning difficulties that may be attributed to a disability. Eye problems typically experienced by children include lazy eye, cross eyes and drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis). Other eye problems may be caused by injury.

Preparation for a vision test is usually minimal, but parents are urged to inform their child’s physician regarding anything they may have noticed about the child’s behavior that may be related to a vision problem.

During a screening test, the examiner makes a visual check of the child’s eyes to look for signs of potential trouble. The screener uses a red reflex test to look for abnormalities in the back of the eye or cataracts or other clouding of the eye lens. The child’s visual acuity (ability to see over distances) and field of vision (entire area that can be seen at any one moment) are also tested.