The American Optometric Association recommends that children receive their first eye exams around six months of age, then at about three years of age, before first grade and every two years thereafter. If other health factors place an infant, toddler, or child at an increased risk for visual impairment, more frequent examinations should be considered. These increased risk factors include:

• premature birth.
• family history of retinoblastoma, congenital cataracts or genetic disease.
• infection of mother during pregnancy (e.g., rubella, toxoplasmosis, sexually transmitted disease, herpes, AIDS).
• difficult labor associated with fetal distress or low Apgar scores.
• high refractive error.
• lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed or turned eyes (strabismus).
• unequal refractive error.
• developmental delay, cerebral palsy, seizures or hydrocephalus.

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