Pediatric Eye Exams in Hillsborough, NJ
Good vision is essential to your child’s learning, development, and quality of life — yet the American Optometric Association estimates that 1 in 4 school-age children has an undetected vision problem. At Amwell Eye Care, Dr. Adam Zhao provides thorough, child-friendly eye exams designed to catch and correct vision issues early, before they impact your child’s confidence or performance in school.
When Should My Child Have Their First Eye Exam?
Many parents assume that passing a school vision screening means their child’s eyes are healthy. School screenings only test basic distance acuity — they miss the conditions that affect learning most. We recommend the following schedule:
- 6 months old: First exam to check eye alignment and early development
- Age 3: Pre-school exam to screen for amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), and refractive errors
- Age 5–6: Before starting school, to ensure vision is ready for reading and learning
- Every year after: Annual exams throughout school years, especially if your child wears glasses or contacts
What We Check During a Children’s Eye Exam
Our pediatric eye exams go well beyond reading an eye chart. Dr. Zhao evaluates the full health and function of your child’s visual system, including:
- Visual acuity — how clearly your child sees at distance and near
- Refractive errors — nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism
- Eye teaming and tracking — how well both eyes work together, critical for reading fluency
- Depth perception and color vision
- Amblyopia (lazy eye) — most treatable when caught before age 7
- Strabismus (crossed or turned eyes)
- Overall eye health — examination of the retina, optic nerve, and internal eye structures
Signs Your Child May Have a Vision Problem
Children rarely complain about blurry vision because they assume everyone sees the world the way they do. Watch for these signs and schedule an exam if you notice any of them:
- Squinting or tilting the head to see
- Sitting very close to the TV or holding books too near
- Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
- Short attention span for reading or near activities
- Losing their place while reading or using a finger to track words
- Complaints of headaches or tired eyes after school
- Avoiding reading or homework
- One eye turning in or out
Myopia Management for Children
Childhood myopia (nearsightedness) is one of the fastest-growing vision conditions worldwide. At Amwell Eye Care, we offer Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) — specially designed overnight contact lenses that gently reshape the cornea to correct vision and slow myopia progression in children and teenagers. This is a proven, FDA-cleared option for kids as young as 7 who want clear daytime vision without glasses or standard contact lenses.
A Welcoming Experience for Kids of All Ages
We understand that visiting the eye doctor can feel intimidating for young patients. Dr. Zhao and the Amwell Eye Care team take time to explain every step of the exam in kid-friendly terms, making the experience comfortable and even fun. We see children of all ages, from infants to teenagers, and offer flexible appointment times to work around your family’s schedule.
Insurance & Scheduling
We accept most major vision and medical insurance plans, including VSP, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Medicare. Most pediatric eye exams are covered under your child’s vision benefit. Our staff is happy to verify your coverage before your visit.
To schedule your child’s eye exam in Hillsborough, NJ, contact us online or call us at (908) 336-3886. Same-week appointments are often available.
Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today
Early detection makes all the difference. Give your child the gift of clear, healthy vision.
