Every new parent hates to have to bring their child to the doctor, especially when they know that they’ll have to endure shots. But this is one part of growing up that you have to go through, just like many children have to face visits to the optometrist on a regular basis. While some children are blessed with 20/20 vision, many children will often wind up bringing slips of paper home that say that their eyesight tested strangely during their school’s annual checkup. This means that it’s time to make an appointment for eye exams in Austin TX.
The First Visit
If your child has never been to the optometrist before, it’s natural for them to be a bit anxious about the entire situation. One of the ways to make it easier is to make an appointment with a children’s optometrist. An optometrist who specializes in taking care of children’s eyes is often much more qualified to help a younger child with the process than one who doesn’t work often with young children. There are many optometrists in Austin who specialize in caring for children, so make sure before you book any appointments that you do a search. You’ll quickly find that there are many very reputable businesses that you can contact. Make sure, as well, before you book any appointment that the company accepts your insurance so the cost is much more affordable.
Once you have booked the appointment, explain to your child what they can expect from a visit to the eye doctors. If you have never had to go yourself, ask a friend or family member to explain it to the child for you. Make sure you use words that are age appropriate so that the child is able to truly understand what they should expect. And make sure that you explain that you won’t leave them during their visit. This will calm many of their fears almost instantly, and will make it much easier for you to get them into the car and to the actual appointment.
Once you’re at the eye doctors, spend some time looking over the office. Most optometrist offices have designer glasses up for display, so why not spend some time trying on glasses and laughing a bit? This will ease your child and will relax you as well. When it’s time to go into the examining room, hold your child’s hand and walk in with them. Explain to the optometrist that it is your child’s first visit and they’ll be very understanding and will take things slowly. When it’s time for your child to sit in the large optometrist chair, if they’re nervous about it, ask if you can sit on the chair holding them on your lap. This makes it easier for them to sit still and for the optometrist to get the view that he needs. A visit to the optometrist with your child doesn’t have to be something to agonize over. It can actually be very fun – certainly much more fun than getting shots!
Tech Ridge Vision
500 Canyon Ridge Dr # L350
Austin, TX 78753-1641
(512) 837-3200
About the Author: Larry Milton has written extensively about the optometry profession and enjoys informing individuals about latest developments in this field
Nov.10.10
Posted by Eye Doctor