Taking your child to a doctor’s office is never fun, especially when you have someone looking into and around their eyes. While a visit to an optometrist sounds scary, the proper preparation can make a big difference and make the experience a lot more enjoyable for everyone involved.
It’s important to introduce eye care early on in your child’s life so they understand that it’s part of their health and development. This way, the optometrist can monitor their eyes regularly and make sure there are no problems with their vision.
If you’re nervous about taking your child to an optometrist, the following tips can help so that you’re both ready:
- Sit down with your child and explain what they should expect from the appointment to eliminate any surprises. Tell them that the eye doctor is there to help them see better and make sure there’s nothing wrong with their sight. Explain that there may be eye drops involved and demonstrate how they administer it.
- Talk about wearing eyeglasses so that if they have to, it doesn’t come as a shock and they feel comfortable. Children may not like the idea of glasses so it’s important to let them know it’s not something they should worry about because there are so many styles and options to choose from if they need to. You can show them pictures of different types of lenses and frames so they can find something they like.
- Make a list of any questions and concerns you and your child have. If you notice that your child squints their eyes or suffers from headaches, you should make a note of it and list how often it occurs so that you can discuss it with the optometrist and find the right solution.
- If your child does need glasses after the appointment, talk about it so they understand how important the eyeglasses are to their sight and why they should never forget to wear them. Explain the doctor’s orders, including how to care for the lenses and help them understand that they can help improve their vision.
It’s very common for children to feel anxious and scared during their first optometrist appointment and taking the time to talk to them beforehand will help make the process a lot smoother. Speaking to them in advance can help eliminate their fears because they’ll know what to expect and feel better about the appointment.
If you want your child’s optometrist visit to be a positive one, visit Orangeville Optometric Centre today. As a parent, you’ll be very happy with the overall experience and the optometrist can administer eye tests, exams, contact lenses, eyeglass frames and even laser eye surgery if necessary. If you’re in the Orangeville area and want the best for your child when it comes to eye care, visit them today!
