At Wilmington Eye Care Optometry, we provide gentle, age-appropriate eye exams for children starting at age 5. We proudly care for families from Wilmington, San Pedro, Harbor City, and Carson.
Pediatric Eye Doctor for Wilmington Children
taking care of groeing eyes
Your child’s vision plays a huge role in how they learn, grow, and engage with the world. But vision problems don’t always show up in obvious ways, especially in younger children who may not realize their eyesight isn’t “normal.”
That’s why early eye exams are so important. A simple check-up can help identify and correct common childhood vision problems before they affect school, sports, or everyday life.
When to Schedule a Pediatric Eye Exam?
We recommend that children have their first comprehensive eye exam around age 5, before starting school, and then continue with annual checkups thereafter. If your child wears glasses or has an existing eye condition, more frequent visits may be recommended.
Even if your child passed a school vision screening, a pediatric eye exam is still important. Those screenings typically check only distance vision and miss many common conditions, such as eye-teaming, amblyopia, or focusing problems.
Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling with Their Vision
Some vision issues can be hard to spot, but they often manifest as behavioral problems, learning challenges, or physical symptoms. Keep an eye out for signs like:
- Squinting or tilting the head to see clearly
- Holding books or screens very close
- Frequent headaches or eye rubbing
- Avoiding reading or near work
- Short attention span for visual tasks
- Covering one eye
- Falling behind in school, especially in reading
- Complaints of double or blurry vision
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, we recommend scheduling a pediatric eye exam in Wilmington as soon as possible.
What We Check During a Pediatric Eye Exam
Our exams are designed to evaluate your child’s full visual system—not just whether they need glasses. Here’s what our pediatric eye doctors look at during your child’s visit:
- Vision clarity (visual acuity) at all distances
- Focusing ability and eye muscle coordination
- Binocular vision (how well the eyes work together)
- Eye tracking and movement
- Depth perception and peripheral vision
- Signs of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism
- Early signs of amblyopia (“lazy eye”) or strabismus (eye turn)
We also take time to explain your child’s results in parent-friendly terms, so you leave with answers, not uncertainty.
Our Approach to Your Child's Eye Care
We know that a great first eye exam can set the tone for a child’s healthcare experience. That’s why we take a calm, unrushed approach with every young patient. Our exams are age-appropriate, low-stress, and designed to make kids feel comfortable from the moment they walk in.
Many of the families we see come from right here in Wilmington and the surrounding Harbor Area. We take pride in building long-term relationships with parents who trust us with their child’s care and with kids who grow up seeing us year after year.
Vision Correction & Myopia Control Options
If your child needs vision correction, we’ll walk you through every option. We offer:
Kid-friendly eyeglasses with a wide range of styles.
Contact lenses for older kids and teens, when appropriate.
Monitoring for early myopia (nearsightedness) with options like Stellest™ lenses for long-term control.
Book Your Child’s Eye Exam
If your child is due for their first eye exam, or you’ve noticed signs that something might be off with their vision, we’re here to help. Our team is ready to welcome you with thoughtful, community-based care. Book online or give us a call, and let’s help your child see their best.