“My son has autism... I couldn't recommend Illinois Eye Associates more.”
— J.P.
Caring for your child’s sight
Pediatric Eye Doctor in Manhattan & Peotone, IL
There for Every Stage of Life
From Baby’s First Exam to Teen Vision Support
Your child’s eyes are constantly changing, and so are their vision needs. Regular eye exams are one of the best ways to protect their development and quality of life. Illinois Eye Associates provides full-scope pediatric eye care, including infant eye exams through the nationally recognized InfantSEE® program.
Our Manhattan optometrists use age-appropriate testing to catch potential problems early. Whether it’s their very first visit or just time for a back-to-school checkup, we make the experience kid-friendly and clinically thorough.
Manhattan
Illinois Eye Associates
(815) 478-9100
- monday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- tuesday:
- 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
- wednesday:
- 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- thursday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- friday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- saturday:
- Closed
- sunday:
- Closed
Peotone
- monday:
- Closed
- tuesday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- wednesday:
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- thursday:
- 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
- friday:
- 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- saturday:
- Closed
- sunday:
- Closed
Why Pediatric Eye Exams Are Important
Vision plays a major role in how your child learns, reads, plays, and interacts with the world around them. But many common childhood vision problems develop without obvious symptoms. Routine eye exams allow us to catch those issues early and intervene when treatment is most effective.
At Illinois Eye Associates, we recommend:
- First eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age
- Regular exams yearly as they age
What We Evaluate During Your Child’s Exam
Our pediatric eye exams are designed with your child’s age and development in mind. Using a combination of nonverbal techniques and child-friendly tools, our eye doctors assess ocular health and key visual functions.
During your child’s exam, we may evaluate:
- Visual acuity (clarity of vision)
- Prescription needs, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
- Eye teaming and muscle coordination
- Eye alignment and tracking ability
- Binocular vision and depth perception
- Eye health, including signs of inflammation or underlying conditions
Signs Your Child May Have a Vision Problem
Children don’t always know how to describe what they’re seeing, or not seeing. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs. Watch for:
- Frequent squinting or head tilting
- Sitting very close to screens, books, or the TV
- Complaints of tired eyes, headaches, or blurry vision
- Rubbing the eyes often, especially during focus-heavy tasks
- Difficulty with hand-eye coordination
- Avoiding reading or struggling with attention
- Falling behind in school or showing frustration during homework
Infant & Toddler Eye Exams
Vision problems can begin long before a child can speak or read. As part of the InfantSEE® program, Illinois Eye Associates offers no-cost infant eye assessments to ensure your baby’s eyes are developing properly.
During these early visits, we use non-invasive techniques to assess how your baby tracks objects, responds to light, and aligns their eyes. We check for early signs of amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye turn), and visual developmental delays.
When should my child get their eyes checked?
We recommend annual eye exams for school-aged children and teens, even if they don't notice any problems. Their eyes can change quickly, especially during periods of increased screen time or academic pressure.
What if my child has trouble focusing at school?
Many children with undiagnosed vision problems struggle with reading, concentration, or classroom learning. During the exam, we check for focusing issues, eye teaming, and prescription needs that may be affecting their performance.
Do you fit kids and teens for contact lenses?
Absolutely. Our eye doctors provide age-appropriate contact lens fittings for teens (and some older children), including specialty lenses for astigmatism or multifocal needs. We’ll help you and your child decide whether they’re ready, and teach them how to use lenses.
Do both locations see kids of all ages?
Yes! From babies as young as 6 months to teenagers preparing for driver’s ed, our optometrists tailor every exam to your child’s stage of development. We also participate in InfantSEE®.
“Dr. Jeff... is patient with our little girls and great with our teenage son.”
— A.P.
Book an Appointment
Early Support for Better Vision
When it comes to your child’s health, vision shouldn’t be left to guesswork. From their first exam to every stage that follows, our team at Illinois Eye Associates is here to help support your child’s sight.