By Dr. Michael A. Campbell, O.D. | Nov 6, 2025
A Holiday Season Reminder for Healthier Vision
The holidays are a time for bright lights, family photos, and endless screen time from favorite holiday movies to new tech gifts. But amid the excitement, parents often overlook one important thing: their child’s eye health.
Scheduling an eye exam with a pediatric eye doctor before the holidays can make all the difference in ensuring clear vision, confident learning, and a worry-free start to the new year.
Why Timing Matters: The Holiday Advantage
Not all eye exams are the same. A pediatric eye doctor specializes in diagnosing and managing children’s vision and eye health from infancy through the teenage years. These experts use specialized tools and techniques to create a positive experience for kids.
- Fewer scheduling conflicts: Families are more relaxed, and children can attend appointments without missing class.
- Readiness for the new term: Addressing vision issues before the next semester helps with reading, writing, and concentration.
- Avoiding last-minute rushes: Many parents wait until January, but end-of-year appointments are less crowded and often covered by insurance before it resets.
If you’re wondering when to schedule a child’s first eye exam before school breaks, now is the perfect time to do it.
Pro Tip: If your child has never had a comprehensive eye exam, now is the perfect time. The American Optometric Association recommends testing at 6–12 months, again at age 3, before school, and every 1–2 years afterward.
What Makes a Pediatric Eye Doctor Different
Not all eye exams are the same. A pediatric eye doctor specializes in diagnosing and managing vision and eye health problems that occur in children from infancy through the teenage years.
These doctors understand how to work with young patients:
- Kid-friendly communication: They explain each step in simple terms to reduce anxiety.
- Child-sized tools and tests: Exams are tailored to small faces and developing vision.
- Focus on development: They evaluate how a child’s eyes track, focus, and work together, skills essential for reading and learning.
Our team ensures every visit feels comfortable and engaging for young patients and parents alike.
Early Detection: Why It Matters
Children often don’t realize when they can’t see clearly. A pediatric eye doctor can detect issues early, before they impact school performance or daily activities. Common conditions include
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): One eye doesn’t develop properly, leading to weaker vision.
- Strabismus (Eye Turn): Eyes may not align correctly, causing double vision or poor depth perception.
- Refractive Errors: Nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can impact reading or sports performance.
- Digital Eye Strain: Prolonged screen time can lead to dryness, fatigue, and headaches.
With early care, most conditions are highly treatable. Regular vision exams make early detection and correction possible.
What to Expect During a Child’s Vision Exam
A visit to a pediatric eye doctor is quick, gentle, and often enjoyable when handled by specialists who understand children’s needs. Typical steps include:
- Discussion: Parents share any symptoms squinting, sitting too close to screens, or frequent eye rubbing.
- Visual acuity test: A Simple picture or letter charts test how clearly each eye sees.
- Eye coordination check: The doctor evaluates how well the eyes track and focus together.
- Dilation (if needed): Special drops help the doctor examine internal structures and rule out serious conditions.
- Results and recommendations: Parents receive a clear summary of findings and next steps, including glasses or monitoring.
At Dr. Campbell’s office, we make sure every step is explained and every question answered so parents leave confident and informed.
Why the Holidays Are the Perfect Time
The end of the year means travel, bright decorations, and long screen sessions, all adding strain to young eyes. A pre-holiday vision exam with a pediatric eye doctor offers several advantages:
Here’s why a pre-holiday exam makes sense:
- Travel comfort: Prevent headaches and eye strain on long car or flight journeys.
- Insurance savings: Use your vision benefits before they expire on December 31.
- Gift-ready glasses: If your child needs glasses, new frames can be ready before school starts again.
- Device overload protection: Kids often receive new tablets or gaming consoles. Early exams ensure their eyes are ready for increased screen time.
A pediatric eye exam is one of the simplest ways to give your child the gift of clear, comfortable vision before the year ends.
Families Trust, for Complete Eye Care
Families across Bluffton rely on Dr. Michael Campbell’s pediatric eye doctor team for caring, expert service. Our Bluffton family eye care center provides:
- Child-friendly exam rooms are designed to make visits stress-free.
- Advanced diagnostic technology for accurate results.
- Flexible appointment scheduling during the busy holiday season.
- Personalized care plans that grow with your child’s needs.
We believe healthy vision helps children see, learn, and experience the world with confidence, and we’re proud to help families make that happen.
How Often Should Kids Have Eye Exams
Here’s a quick guide from leading eye health organizations:
| Age Range | Recommended Eye Exam Frequency |
| 6–12 months | First comprehensive exam |
| 3–5 years | At least once before school |
| 6–18 years | Every 1–2 years, or as advised by your doctor |
If your child wears glasses, has vision symptoms, or there’s a family history of eye conditions, more frequent vision exams are recommended.
FAQs About Pediatric Eye Exams
- When should my child have their first eye exam?
Ideally, between 6–12 months of age, then again before preschool. - Do school screenings replace a comprehensive eye exam?
No. Screenings miss many subtle issues that only a pediatric eye doctor can detect. - What if my child is nervous?
Our team specializes in child care and explains everything in a calm, fun way. - How long does the exam take?
Most visits take 30–45 minutes, depending on age and testing needs.
The Best Gift This Holiday Season: Clear Vision
There’s no better time than now to ensure your child starts the new year seeing clearly and confidently.
A simple appointment with a pediatric eye doctor in Bluffton can protect their vision and improve focus, performance, and happiness both in school and beyond.
Affordable holiday care: We’re offering $100 student eye exams — making it easier for Bluffton families to prioritize vision health before the year ends.
