Pediatric Eye Exam
in Detroit, Troy, & Birmingham

As parents, we want the very best for our children. We want them to feel comfortable and confident in social situations, in the classroom, while playing sports and at home. Any type of vision disturbance could slow their development in one or more of these areas in their lives. Unfortunately, it’s often hard to know when your child is having trouble seeing clearly – especially when they are very young. That’s why comprehensive eye exams are so important. Our ophthalmologists Dr. Carl Clavenna and Dr. Gregory Fitzgerald, and our optometrist, Dr. Bianca Bilek, can set your children up for success by helping them see as clearly as possible.

We recommend that children have their first eye exam at age 5. Pediatricians do a great job of screening children and their tests catch many problems early. They are trained to identify slight nuances in vision or behaviors and alert you if they detect a potential problem. However, a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is recommended to truly identify any issues that exist. If you have a family history of eye disease or if your child is displaying symptoms of a vision problem, don’t wait to be referred to an eye doctor for a complete eye exam: schedule one right away.

Vision Conditions Diagnosed During Pediatric Eye Exams

Dr. Bilek, along with Dr. Carl Clavenna and Dr. Gregory Fitzgerald. are trained to help younger patients feel relaxed during eye exams. If they suspect any problems, Dr. Clavenna or Dr. Fitzgerald can treat conditions such as:

  • Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism (refractive errors)
  • Eye alignment problems (strabismus)
  • Lazy eye (amblyopia) which should be treated before age 8
  • Congenital cataracts
  • Droopy eyelids

Watch for Signs Your Child May Have Vision Problems

Even if your child cannot verbally communicate that they are having difficulty seeing clearly, their body language and habits may present some red flags:

  • Holding a book close to read
  • Squinting or tilting their head to see
  • Frequent headaches
  • Light sensitivity
  • Poor grades in school
  • Rubbing the eyes
  • Avoidance of physical activities

With prompt diagnosis and treatment from Dr. Bilek, your child can get back to living their best life, equipped with vision tools for success.

What to Bring to Your Child’s Eye Exam

  • Your child’s prescription glasses and/or contact lenses (if applicable)
  • Insurance information, including your insurance card (make sure you know what is covered under your plan)
  • Name, phone number and address of your child’s pediatrician
  • New patient forms (these can be downloaded and filled out prior to your appointment)
  • Cash, checkbook or credit card to pay for any out-of-pocket expenses, if necessary

To schedule a pediatric eye exam for your child, call 248.646.3733 or contact us online.

More About the Doctors at Clavenna Vision Institute

Dr. Carl Clavenna, Dr. Gregory Fitzgerald and Dr. Bianca Bilek are ready to help protect, preserve and enhance your child’s vision. During pediatric eye exams, they may also share other ways to protect eyesight such as the importance of wearing protective eyewear while playing sports, the proper way to wear and care for contact lenses, why wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes, reasons to take a break from digital devices and much more.