Pediatric Eye Care

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, children should have an eye exam between the ages of 3 and 5. Daniel Rafaelov, OD, at Eyecrafters Optical in Downtown Brooklyn, New York City, offers pediatric eye care to protect your child’s vision and your peace of mind as they grow. Whether you’re scheduling their first appointment or a routine checkup, call the office or book a visit online today.

What is pediatric eye care?

Pediatric eye care is the same high standard of eye care you expect at Eyecrafters Optical but tailored to your child’s needs.

It focuses on diagnosing and treating vision problems that typically begin in childhood, such as nearsightedness (myopia), and making proper eye care accessible so your child develops healthy habits for life.

Children tend to take the world as they find it and may not realize or be able to communicate when vision impairments are making things harder for them. Some common conditions Dr. Rafaelov can help diagnose and manage include:

• Amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Crossed eyes (strabismus)
• Refractive errors resulting in nearsightedness or farsightedness
• Astigmatism
• Eye injuries

With a combination of developing motor control and their natural enthusiasm, children may experience minor eye injuries from time to time. Dr. Rafaelov can make sure that they heal properly and prevent vision problems in the future. He can also prescribe custom eyewear for athletic activities to prevent injuries from occurring.

Eyecrafters Optical also offers diabetic eye exams and management for children with Type 1 or 2 diabetes. 

When should I schedule a pediatric eye care appointment for my child?

Experts recommend eye screenings when your child is:

• Newborn
• Between 6-12 months old
• Between 12-36 months old
• Aged 3-5
• Once they turn 5

Regular visits to your optometrist help catch any issues early, which is particularly important if a close relative has an eye condition.

Can myopia control help preserve my child’s vision?

Myopia makes it harder to see objects at a distance, but as it gets worse, you may have to be within arm’s length or closer to see things clearly. The condition usually starts developing before children reach age 10, and then progresses or worsens through the teenage years.

The condition occurs due to the eyes growing too quickly and too long for the usual rate of eye growth. Children’s eyes ideally grow steadily until the teenage years, then growth stabilizes.

In cases of myopia, however, the eyes’ rapid growth causes increasing vision blurring and ongoing eye growth through the teenage years and into early adulthood. This continuing deterioration is called myopia progression.

Myopia control can’t prevent myopia, but it can slow it down and give you better vision outcomes. Dr. Rafaelov may suggest:

• Orthokeratology, or ortho-k — gas-permeable lenses worn while sleeping to gently correct the cornea’s shape
• Multifocal contact lenses to reduce eye strain
• Atropine eye drops to relax the eyes’ focusing mechanisms
• More time outdoors

Eyecrafters Optical also provides MiSight® 1 day lenses for myopia control. MiSight® 1 day lenses are soft, daily disposable contact lenses designed to slow the progression of myopia in children. These FDA-approved lenses use ActivControl® Technology to help manage nearsightedness while providing clear vision and comfort.

Eyecrafters Optical tailors your myopia control plan to your unique needs and eye shape, prescribing lenses that are comfortable to wear and paying close attention to any changes in your vision. 

As part of your myopia control, Dr. Rafaelov may recommend vision therapy. Vision therapy targets some of the factors that contribute to myopia, such as poor focusing skills.

How can I prepare my child for pediatric eye care appointments?

You know that regular eye exams are important for your ocular health, but like any medical appointment, children can find them initially daunting. You can ease their stress and set them up for a positive, successful time by:

• Letting them know the appointment is coming up
• Addressing their concerns and emphasizing eye health’s importance
• Having all paperwork and questions ready — if you’re at ease, they’re more likely to relax, too
• Bringing comforting items and providing reassurance

Dr. Rafaelov works to make their tests quick and engaging and takes great care to balance thorough examinations with compassion and gentleness.

Call Eyecrafters Optical or book an appointment online to schedule your child’s pediatric eye care appointment and set them up for a lifetime of better vision.