My 4 Year Old Won't Do the Eye Chart

Have you asked him why he doesn't want to do it? Maybe you could alleviate his fears if you know what they are. It could be the closed room, maybe they can crack the door a bit, or he's afraid of the equipment and you can explain what it's for, etc.

Or what about acting as if he doesn't need to do it, tell him "Mommy needs to do the eye chart exam," but take him in with you, sit there yourself and do it, but say the wrong letters to see if he corrects you?

My 3.5 yo did the same thing last year and again last month when we tried again. The nurse who was trying to get him to do it just said its not big deal until he's older so we will just try again at his next regular check-up.

Does he seem to have trouble seeing anything? Like squinting? Otherwise I wouldn't worry just yet.

And maybe once he is in school the school nurse usually checks them. I'm not sure if schools still do this but I know they would line us up and take turns when I was in school and maybe if his friends are doing it, he will, too?

does he idolize one of his older siblings? my 4 year old does and says everything his sister does and says...If your son does have a favorite sibling maybe you can work out with the doctor ahead of time that both siblings are going to do it and get the older sibling in on making it a fun contest to see who can read the most letters/symbols.

Sometimes kids get this weird. shy, embarrassed, goofy thing about doing stuff in front of others when M. is there. Have you tried letting the eye Dr have him in the room without you for just a couple minutes? Tell him, wait right here I have to go to the bathroom,, and walk out,, might surprise you what he will accomplish when you arent right there.

I suggest that the school will accept an explanation on the form that says you've tried and he refuses. Whether or not he can pass the eye chart isn't so important this early in age if he's not showing any signs of difficulty.

Most forms are one size fits all and are not enforced.

Wish I had a suggestion for you. My son acts that way sometimes especially when he gets it in his head that he can't do something "well" like a performance anxiety almost, despite our best efforts to assure him. He's an only child and I think it is just in his make up. Do you think the office would let you bring him in for a "field trip" no test and let him get an up close and personal tour with prize at the end or something (maybe ice cream) once or twice with that might alleviate any anxiety? Just a thought.

My son refused when he was 4. We tried again one year later and he did fine. I wouldn't worry to much about it. I know that some schools have eye exams done there, especially when the child would refuse one at the doctor's.