Children can be apprehensive about going to the optometrist, particularly if they do not know what to expect. That’s where “Howard And The Amazing Eye Exam” comes in. This children’s e-book was written by Michelle Weed, and Dr. Catherine McDaniel, the Chief of the Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Clinic at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. It tells the story of Howard, a hedgehog who recently had an eye exam and received his first pair of glasses. He proudly recounts the fun “games” his doctor played with him while his eager classmates listens on.
It is important for children to have eye exams early, and the AOA recommends that children should have a comprehensive eye exam (not screening) by an eye doctor at 6 months, 3 years, 6 years, and every 2 years until age 18, and more frequently if they are at risk of developing eye and vision problems. Undetected vision problems can interfere with children’s learning and education, and intervention is more likely to be successful when initiated early. I like this book because it provides an accurate yet age-appropriate explanation of an exam through a child’s eyes (no pun intended) with colorful pictures and fun videos. Talk about this book with your patients with children who need an exam. Hopefully this will convince them to have an amazing eye exam just like Howard did!
Download a copy of “Howard And The Amazing Eye Exam” here!
