Looking for a pediatric eye doctor in New Albany? This page covers what happens at your child's exam at COVE. For an overview of pediatric eyecare, Dr. Keller's background, kids' frames, and InfantSEE, start at our pediatric eye doctor page →
Children's / Pediatric Eye Exams in New Albany, Columbus, Johnstown & Central Ohio
COVE Provides Pediatric Eye Exams for Kids as Young as 6 Months Old
At Central Ohio Vision and Eyecare, we prioritize your child's vision as a crucial part of their development and success. Unlike standard adult exams or vision screenings at schools or pediatricians' offices, our comprehensive pediatric exams thoroughly evaluate your child's visual system.
All three of COVE's doctors see children, and most families never have to think about which one. Dr. Keller sees our youngest patients, from six months old through the early school years, and it's where she's built the bulk of her 25+ years in practice. Around age five, Dr. Karres starts seeing kids as well, and by seven or eight, Dr. Dennis does too. If your family already has a doctor you like, that relationship always comes first. If you're new to COVE, we'll simply match your child's age with the doctor who typically sees kids that age; every one of them is equipped to spot the same things.
Why your child needs a pediatric eye exam.
Experts recommend that children have their first eye exam around 1 year old to ensure their vision develops properly (Cleveland Clinic's article on the subject). You might wonder, "Isn't a vision screening at school or the pediatrician enough?" The answer is: not exactly. While these screenings may identify basic refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, they don't provide a complete picture of your child's visual health.
What age should my child have their first eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends children have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months old, again at age 3, before starting kindergarten, and annually throughout the school years.
At COVE, Dr. Keller examines patients as young as 6 months. We participate in InfantSEE, a national public health program that provides a free, no-obligation comprehensive eye and vision assessment for babies between 6 and 12 months old, regardless of family income or insurance coverage.
Why so young? Many vision problems are most easily corrected when caught early, while a child's visual system is still developing. Issues like amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (eye misalignment) respond best to treatment before age 7. Waiting until your child can read an eye chart often means missing a critical window.
What sets our pediatric eye exams apart.
We go beyond basic screenings to assess your child's ability to track while reading, focusing issues, and detect any pathological causes of poor vision, in addition to checking for refractive errors.
Many children don't realize they have vision problems because they perceive their vision as normal. Our comprehensive eye exams reveal issues like double vision or misalignment that they might not notice.
Dr. Keller leads COVE's pediatric care, and our doctors all work expertly with children of all ages. They use various techniques to gather detailed information about your child's visual system, ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.
Good vision is essential for learning. Our doctors aim to remove any visual barriers that might hinder your child's academic performance and overall development. The COVE team dedicates itself to helping every child in New Albany and the surrounding communities achieve their full potential.
Signs your child may have a vision problem.
Children rarely complain about their vision because they don't know what "normal" looks like. Watch for these common signs:
If you notice any of these signs, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with one of our doctors. Many of these symptoms are easily corrected once the underlying vision issue is identified.
How vision affects learning.
An estimated 80% of what a child learns in their first 12 years is processed visually. Reading, writing, smartboard work, computer-based learning, and athletics all depend on accurate, comfortable vision and well-developed visual skills.
When a child's vision is functioning properly, they can focus, track moving objects, switch attention between near and far, and process visual information at the speed school demands. When something is off, even a mild prescription, a focusing delay, or an eye-teaming problem, the child often compensates by losing attention, avoiding reading, or developing what looks like a behavioral or learning issue.
Vision-related learning problems are sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD, dyslexia, or general learning difficulty. We're not suggesting an eye exam replaces evaluation by a pediatrician, psychologist, or learning specialist. We are saying that a comprehensive pediatric eye exam should be one of the first steps any time a child is struggling in school. Ruling out vision as a contributing factor is straightforward and worth doing.
What to expect during the exam.
During the exam, your child's doctor will:
- Check for proper eye alignment and teaming
- Assess focusing ability
- Identify any refractive errors
- Evaluate overall ocular health
If glasses are recommended, we'll walk you through kids' eyeglasses in New Albany built to hold up to active kids.
Does insurance cover pediatric eye exams?
In most cases, yes. Children's eye exams are typically covered in one of two ways:
Vision insurance (VSP, EyeMed) usually covers an annual comprehensive eye exam for children with little to no out-of-pocket cost. We accept most major vision plans and verify benefits before your visit.
Medical insurance covers pediatric eye exams when there's a medical reason: for example, if your child has a known eye condition, has been referred by a pediatrician, or you're concerned about specific symptoms.
If you're unsure what your plan covers, give us a call at (614) 933-0575 before your appointment. Our front desk team can verify your benefits and explain what to expect. The InfantSEE program also provides one free, comprehensive eye and vision assessment for infants 6 to 12 months old regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.