What It Means If Your Child Fails Their Eye Exam at the Pediatrician

It can be a little alarming to hear that your child has “failed” their vision screening at the pediatrician’s office. One of the most common reasons this happens is astigmatism, a condition where the shape of the eye causes blurry vision.

Here’s what parents should know: mild astigmatism is actually very common in young children and, in many cases, they may grow out of it as they get older. However, when astigmatism is more severe than what’s considered "age-appropriate," it can interfere with proper vision development. Left untreated, this can lead to amblyopia, more commonly known as “lazy eye.”

That’s why a referral to a pediatric eye specialist is so important. At University Children’s Eye Center, we can perform a full eye exam with dilation to check your child’s vision in detail. If treatment is needed, addressing it early can prevent long-term vision problems and help ensure your child’s eyes develop in a healthy way.

If your child recently failed an eye screening at the pediatrician, don’t panic, but don’t delay either. Scheduling a timely exam with a pediatric ophthalmologist gives you clarity and peace of mind about your child’s eye health.