It is no mystery that children try to copy whatever they see. This is why it is quintessential to make sure that their eyes are in top notch condition. A good way to keep their eyes in a good condition is regularly visiting the optometrist to get their eyes checked. Going for regular visits will make sure that eye problems are detected and nipped in the bud at an early stage.
With that being said, children are often extremely scared of visiting eye clinics, or any other clinic for that matter. Here are some steps you can take to make sure that your children are completely prepared for an eye exam.
1. Do not keep your children in the dark
It would be a wise choice to tell your children beforehand that they will be having an eye test. Taking them for a test randomly will catch them off guard, and is a surefire way for your child to stop trusting and complying with you.
Sure, the child might still be scared even if you tell him or her beforehand. You can show pictures of the clinic to your children in order to calm their anxiety down. Another thing you can do is to bring your children to the clinics beforehand and get them acclimated so that they feel comfortable during the test.
2. Prepare yourself as well
Whenever you are in search of an eye doctor, it would be advisable to visit their website and see what services the clinic has to offer. You can also call these clinics to find out how they go about with children’s eye care. Most specialists often are kind enough to meet the parents and kids personally beforehand. Establishing rapport with them will make your children feel comfortable during the test.
Another wise thing to is prepare a list of all the concerns you or your kids have to make sure that they are cleared before you proceed with the eye test.
3. Always be close to your child during your visits
You can instantly calm your child’s nerves by standing close to them during the test. You should also be there if they need to choose their corrective lenses. This will ensure that your children do not have any hesitation wearing their new glasses. Your main aim should be to make sure that your child has an enjoyable experience during his/her visit and fully cooperates with the specialists.
4. Explain the doctor’s Instructions to your child
Kids often get scared of doctors. To most kids doctors are the equivalent of a boogeyman. Therefore, any word that comes out of their mouth might seem scary to them. It would be a good idea to listen to the doctor’s instructions and explain them to your child in a fun and friendly way so that they fully cooperate with them.
Bottom line
Preparing your child for a visit to the optometrist is not that difficult. With a little bit of patience and a cool head, you will be able to work wonders and get your children ready in no time.
