Do kids need vision insurance?

Parenting is full of decisions. Some are easy while others need more research and time. Deciding whether to add your children to your vision insurance plan is a decision many parents find difficult to make. Do kids really need vision insurance? Or is health insurance enough?

Much like dental insurance does for oral health care, vision insurance helps keep your children’s vision and eye health a priority as they grow. Vision insurance is important for everyone, no matter their age.

What is vision insurance?

Many people wonder what they get when they sign up for vision insurance. Vision insurance, very basically, covers vision care including eye exams, vision screenings, some of the cost for vision correctors, and more. Medical problems, such as an eye injury, are often covered by health insurance instead.

Do kids need vision insurance?

The short answer is yes. Since vision problems can affect anyone at any age, it’s important to have coverage for all members of the family. Poor vision can impact their success in school and ability to play sports, and cause physical problems such as headaches, eye strain, watery eyes, and more. It may also lead to difficulty with social interactions and reaching developmental milestones, and can be misdiagnosed as a behavioral problem. All of these can negatively impact the self-confidence and mental health of a child over time.

Vision insurance helps parents and care teams keep track of any vision changes as a child grows and presents opportunities for diagnosing problems early so they can be treated quickly.

When do kids need vision insurance?

Exactly when your child should be covered by vision insurance depends on factors such as family history, medical history, and age. Many children receive their first eye exam by six months of age. However, this is usually done by their pediatrician. Eye doctors generally recommend children have their first official eye exam at age three and then every two to three years after that.

If possible, covering your child from birth is ideal. However, as long as they are covered by age three, your children can start receiving the benefits of having vision insurance.

Vision insurance for kids is important 

As parents, doing what’s best for your children is always a top priority. Taking them to the dentist at least once a year, going to annual physicals, and visiting the eye doctor regularly are all ways parents can ensure their children are growing up healthy and happy.

For more information about vision insurance, check out this blog.