Vision & Age

Home Testing

If your child is three or older, use this simple test to find out how well they see. This is not a substitute for a complete eye exam by a doctor—but it may help you discover a vision problem that requires professional attention.

Get Prepared

Tell your child you are going to play a pointing game. Print the practice "E" and show your child how to point in the same direction as the E. Repeat this for a few minutes, rotating the E until your child can point in all directions correctly without help.

Try It!

  1. Print out the Children's Eye Chart.

  2. Tape it on a bare, windowless wall approximately 3 feet from the ground.

  3. Have your child sit in a chair 10 feet from the wall.
  4. Holding a cover (such as a handkerchief or paper cup) over one eye, use a flashlight to point at each of the "E's," starting with the largest. Ask your child to point in the same direction as the E.
  5. Record the number, such as 20/40, of the smallest line your child can see correctly.

  6. Repeat steps four and five with the other eye. If your child is too tired you may wish to do this later.

 

Interpreting the Results

A child should be able to see the 20/40 line by age three and the 20/30 line by age five. If you test your child on several different days and they cannot see the expected line of print or see the same line with each eye, they may have an eye problem. You should have them evaluated by an eye doctor.