Your child’s vision plays a major role in how they learn, grow, and experience the world, from reading at school to playing sports. At Mountain West Eyecare, our pediatric eye exams are designed to support every stage of your child’s development, with age-appropriate care that puts both kids and parents at ease.
Whether it’s their first eye exam or just time for a check-in, we’re here to help you understand how their eyes are doing, what to look for, and how to set them up for success.
Vision changes often happen quietly, and most children won’t know how to tell you something’s wrong. That’s why the American Optometric Association recommends routine eye exams, even before school starts.
Here’s a general schedule to follow:
Infants (6–12 months): To confirm visual development is on track.
Preschoolers (ages 3–5): Screen for common issues like lazy eye or misalignment.
Before Kindergarten (ages 5–6): Ensure they’re ready for school.
Every 1–2 years after that: To monitor their vision, eye health, and prescription changes.
If your child wears glasses, has a medical condition like diabetes, or has been diagnosed with a vision problem, we may recommend more frequent visits.
Children’s vision problems are more common than most parents realize, and many are easy to treat when caught early. Our West Valley City eye doctor looks for signs of:
Nearsightedness (Myopia): Trouble seeing the board at school
Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Difficulty focusing up close
Astigmatism: Blurry vision at all distances
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): One eye develops more slowly than the other
Strabismus (Eye Turn): Eyes that don't align properly
Focus & Eye Teaming Issues: May lead to eye strain, headaches, or poor reading stamina
Left untreated, these eye conditions can impact academic performance, self-confidence, and overall quality of life. The earlier we spot them, the easier they are to manage and, in many cases, correct.
Going to the eye doctor can be a new experience for little ones. That’s why we’ve created a calm, kid-friendly environment that keeps the experience positive from start to finish. Our team is trained to work with children of all ages and will explain each step in language that’s easy to understand (and never scary).
Here’s what your child’s visit might include:
A friendly greeting and check-in
A gentle vision screening to check how well your child sees near and far
Eye movement and alignment checks to ensure the eyes are working together
A look at their eye health using child-safe lights and lenses
A prescription check (refraction), if needed, to see if glasses could help
Time with our optometrist, Dr. Bethany Gillett, to go over the results, answer your questions, and create a plan that works for your child
Our goal is for your child to feel seen, supported, and confident.
At Mountain West Eyecare, we treat our young patients like they’re part of our family, because that’s what they become. We know that every child is different, and so is every visit. Whether your kid is shy, talkative, or a little nervous, we’ll meet them where they are and make sure they feel comfortable.
Our mission is simple: help your child see clearly today, and build healthy vision habits for the future.
Whether it’s their first appointment or time for a back-to-school checkup, our team at Mountain West Eyecare is here to help your child see clearly. We make it simple to book, and we’ll guide you through every step with care you can trust in West Valley City.
We can’t wait to welcome your family to ours!
