Toddlers use the information gathered from what they see to develop motor skills such as stacking blocks, drawing and preparing for future school activities, according to the American Optometric Association. Although they can't read words, their visual acuteness helps them learn about the world around them. Your pediatrician can screen your toddler's vision to determine whether her eyesight is developing correctly. A full eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist may be recommended when your child becomes a preschooler.
Assessment of Family History
Your toddler's pediatrician begins the screening by asking you to describe your family's vision history. According to Babycenter.com, answers can assist the doctor in determining whether he needs to check for certain eye conditions such as poor sight or potential blindness, glaucoma, cataracts, retinoblastoma or lazy eye. Early detection is the key to treating or correcting abnormalities.
Screening with a Penlight
Your pediatrician uses an instrument called a penlight to evaluate your child's eyelids and eyeballs, looking for any discharge or other signs of abnormalities, allergy or disease, Babycenter.com says. The penlight also helps the doctor check to see whether your child's pupils are the same size and that the eyelids aren't droopy. An overall evaluation is conducted on the positioning of the eyes, eyelids and eyelashes.
Screening Ability to Fix Gaze
It's important that your toddler's eyes have proper movement and the ability to fix his gaze on an object. The doctor presents an object in front of your toddler and moves it in different directions while evaluating the response of the eyes. This is done with each eye individually, with one covered and with both eyes together, Babycenter.com says. If your toddler is able to follow the object with one eye but cannot do so consistently with the other eye, this signals that his vision is worse in the eye that's not responding appropriately.
Observing Reflection
Using an instrument called ophthalmoscope in a darkened room, your pediatrician observes the reflection of light from the back of your toddler's eyes. This allows him to look for a red reflex in each eye and in both eyes at once. An abnormal reaction to light could indicate an abnormality such as cataracts or tumors, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Measuring Visual Acuity
As your child transitions from toddler to the preschool years, your pediatrician will begin conducting visual acuity tests to determine how well your child can see pictures, numbers and letters from a distance. Picture tests, such as LH symbols and Allen cards, are generally used for younger children, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Your child will be asked to cover one eye with a patch and describe the picture or symbol she sees. Your pediatrician will use the results to determine whether further evaluations or referrals to an optometrist or ophthalmologist are needed.
