Children's Vision Care
in Palm Beach County
in Palm Beach County
A child’s eyes are constantly developing, and so much of their learning and coordination depends on how well they see. Planet Vision Eyecare provides pediatric vision care that goes beyond the basics. Led by Dr. Tuyet-Suong Pham, our team is here to support your child’s visual development from toddlerhood through the teen years with eye exams, early detection, and personalized care.
The Role of Vision in Learning & Child Development
Vision is one of the most important building blocks of a child’s cognitive, social, and physical development. In fact, up to 80% of classroom learning is visual, which means even subtle vision problems can impact how a child reads, writes, concentrates, and participates in school.
Undiagnosed visual issues can also mimic or worsen other concerns, such as:
- Difficulty with reading or comprehension
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Frustration with homework
- Trouble paying attention (often misattributed to ADHD)
- Behavioral or emotional struggles related to visual stress
How Often Should Children Have Eye Exams?
The earlier you check your child’s vision, the better. Many eye and vision problems begin long before a child can verbalize that something feels “off.” That’s why the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends comprehensive eye exams at these key stages:
- First eye exam between 6 and 12 months old
- At least one eye exam between the ages of 3 and 5
- Annually once school begins, or more frequently if needed
These exams help us detect developmental delays, vision issues that could impact learning, and early signs of conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye turn), or uncorrected refractive errors.
What We Check During a Pediatric Eye Exam
Pediatric eye exams are very different from adult exams. We tailor each visit to your child’s age, development, and specific needs. Here’s what Dr. Pham assesses during a typical pediatric eye exam:
- Visual acuity (how clearly your child sees at various distances)
- Eye tracking and focusing
- Eye teaming and alignment
- Binocular vision development
- Depth perception and peripheral vision
- Color vision
- Refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism)
- Overall eye health, including screening for early signs of disease
We make the process fun, engaging, and stress-free, so your child feels comfortable from the moment they sit in the chair.
Binocular Vision Assessments
Some children may have 20/20 vision, but still struggle with reading, focusing, or processing visual information, especially when doing near work like homework or screen time. Often, the root cause is a binocular vision issue: when the eyes don’t work together efficiently as a team.
AtPlanet Vision Eyecare, Dr. Pham specializes in identifying and managing functional vision challenges, including:
- Eye teaming and alignment problems
- Difficulty focusing from near to far
- Visual tracking or convergence issues
- Symptoms like double vision, headaches, or eye strain
If your child is experiencing visual discomfort, falling behind in reading, or struggling with attention, we may recommend a functional vision assessment.
Myopia Management
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is on the rise in children worldwide, and it’s becoming more than just a need for stronger glasses. Left unchecked, myopia can progress rapidly and increase the risk of severe eye conditions later in life.
We take a proactive approach to myopia with clinically proven treatment options designed to slow progression, not just correct vision. Our team works closely with families to tailor a plan that fits each child’s needs, lifestyle, and growth.