Bringing your child in for a pediatric eye exam in Riverside should feel easy and unhurried, never stressful. At Visionaire Optometry Spa, our calm, spa-inspired setting helps kids relax, and Dr. Sana Shakil takes the time to make each visit gentle and kid-friendly. We see children age 5 and older, and our limited Saturday morning appointments, 1 to 2 times a month, help busy families find a time that works. Clear, comfortable vision supports nearly everything a child does, so we are glad to help care for their eyes as they grow.

Why children's eye exams matter

So much of a child's learning happens through their eyes — reading, writing, watching the board, and playing all depend on how well they see. A brief school vision screening is helpful, but it is not the same as a full exam. Screenings usually check distance vision only and can miss issues with focusing, eye teaming, or overall eye health. A complete children's eye exam looks deeper, so concerns can be found early. Early detection gives us the best chance to support a child's learning and development before small issues get in the way at school or on the playground.

What we check in a children's eye exam

A children's eye exam with our team is thorough and reassuring. Depending on your child's age and needs, we typically check:

• Visual acuity — how clearly your child sees at distance and up close
• Eye alignment and teaming — how well the two eyes work together
• Focusing — how easily the eyes shift and hold focus for near work
• Depth perception — how the eyes judge distance in three dimensions
• Color vision — how your child distinguishes colors
• Overall eye health — the condition of the eyes inside and out

If your child is due for a broader visit, you can also learn more about our comprehensive eye exams.

Myopia management for growing eyes

When a child is nearsighted, their prescription can increase year after year as their eyes grow. We offer myopia management, including FDA-approved MiSight 1 day contact lenses, to help slow the progression of childhood nearsightedness. If your child's distance vision keeps changing, Dr. Shakil can talk with you about whether myopia management is a good fit and what to expect.

We are also one of the first practices in the area to offer Stellest lenses, a spectacle lens designed to help slow the progression of myopia in children. If your child's prescription keeps changing, ask us whether Stellest may be a good fit alongside our other myopia management options.

Signs your child may need an eye exam

Children do not always tell us when their vision is off — they often assume everyone sees the way they do. It may be time to schedule a pediatric eye exam if you notice your child:

• Squinting to see the board, a book, or the TV
• Sitting very close to screens or holding books close to their face
• Getting frequent headaches, especially after school or homework
• Rubbing their eyes often
• Losing their place or using a finger to read
• Avoiding reading, drawing, or other close-up work

If any of these sound familiar, we are happy to take a closer look at our Riverside optometry practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related services

• Myopia management
• Comprehensive eye exams
• Our Riverside optometry practice