Kids’ Eye Exams in Pasco, Sunnyside & Hermiston
We check how your child sees, how the eyes focus and work together, and the health of each eye.
When children need an eye exam
A school screening checks letters across the room. It can miss the focusing and eye-teaming problems that make reading hard, and it does not look at eye health. The American Optometric Association says routine screenings are not enough.
| Age | Recommended |
|---|---|
| 6 to 12 months | First exam |
| 3 to 5 years | At least one exam |
| Before first grade | One more exam |
| 6 to 17 years | An exam every year |
Source: American Optometric Association.
Kids’ eye exams by town and day
Bring your child to any office. Book online, or walk in on a clinic day when the schedule allows.
- MondayToday Pasco
- TuesdayToday Hermiston
- WednesdayToday Hermiston
- ThursdayToday Pasco
- FridayToday Sunnyside
Every office 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome on clinic days when the schedule allows.
Pasco, WA
4820 N Rd 68, inside Walmart
About 13 min from Richland, 14 min from Kennewick and 18 min from West Richland
More than the letter chart
A child can read the chart and still struggle with a page of text. The exam checks:
- How clearly your child sees, far away and up close
- How the eyes focus, and hold focus through a page of reading
- How the two eyes team up and track a line of text
- Lazy eye and an eye that turns in or out
- Color vision
- The health of the retina and optic nerve, with Optomap imaging
If the glasses keep getting stronger
Treatments can slow nearsightedness that grows every year; results vary by child. Our doctors prescribe Essilor Stellest lenses, MiSight 1 day contacts, Ortho-K and low-dose atropine drops at all three offices.
Myopia management for kidsExámenes de la vista para niños
Revisamos cómo ve su hijo, cómo enfocan y trabajan juntos sus ojos, y la salud del ojo. Pasco abre lunes y jueves, Hermiston martes y miércoles, y Sunnyside los viernes, de 9:00 a. m. a 5:30 p. m. Llame a Pasco al (509) 543-7953, a Sunnyside al (509) 839-4575 o a Hermiston al (541) 567-5283. Se habla español.
Questions parents ask
When should my child have a first eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends a first exam between 6 and 12 months, at least one between ages 3 and 5, one before first grade, and then one every year through school. Call the office to book a young child's first exam.
My child passed the school vision screening. Do they still need an exam?
Yes. The American Optometric Association says routine screenings at school or the pediatrician's office are not enough. A screening mostly checks letters across the room; it can miss focusing and eye-teaming problems that make reading hard, and it does not look at eye health.
What are the signs my child needs an eye exam?
Squinting, sitting close to the TV, holding a tablet or book very close, trouble seeing the board at school, headaches, or one parent or both being nearsighted. Kids rarely complain about their vision, so a yearly exam is the surest way to catch a problem.
Will my child's eyes be dilated?
Sometimes, when our doctors need a closer look at the back of the eye. The drops take 20 to 30 minutes to work, and vision can be blurry and light can feel bright for a few hours afterward, so bring sunglasses.
Is there a children's eye doctor near Kennewick or Richland?
Our Pasco office, 4820 N Rd 68 inside Walmart just off I-182, sees children on Monday and Thursday. It is about 14 minutes from Kennewick and 13 minutes from Richland. Call (509) 543-7953 or book online.
Does insurance cover my child's eye exam?
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) covers an eye exam every 12 months for children under 21, and many vision plans cover a yearly exam. We accept most major vision and medical plans; call the office and we will check your child's benefits.
Where do we get glasses after the exam?
Your child's prescription is yours. The Walmart Vision Center in the same store sells frames, or you can fill the prescription anywhere you like.
My child's glasses keep getting stronger. Can you slow that down?
There are treatments for that. Our doctors prescribe Essilor Stellest lenses, MiSight 1 day contacts, Ortho-K or low-dose atropine drops to slow how fast nearsightedness grows; results vary by child. See myopia management for how each one works.
Do you have Spanish interpreters?
Yes. Spanish interpreters are available at all three offices. Se habla español.
Book your child's eye exam
Pick the office and the day that work for your family, or call and we will find a time.
Book Appointment