Children rarely say that they cannot see well, because they have nothing to compare it with. Whatever they see is normal to them. That is why eye checks in the first years matter, even when nothing seems wrong.
The Eltern-Kind-Pass examinations
Austria has a preventive care programme for pregnancy and early childhood. Until the end of 2023 it was called Mutter-Kind-Pass; since January 2024 it is the Eltern-Kind-Pass. You receive the booklet from your gynaecologist during pregnancy.
Two of the examinations are eye examinations:
- Months 10 to 14: may be carried out by a paediatrician, a general practitioner or an ophthalmologist. We do it here.
- Months 22 to 26: may only be carried out by an ophthalmologist. This needs a separate appointment with us, it does not happen at the paediatrician.
Why this matters financially
Completing the Eltern-Kind-Pass examinations is a condition for receiving the full childcare benefit, the Kinderbetreuungsgeld. The eye appointment between months 22 and 26 is separate and easy to overlook, so book it in good time.
Please bring the booklet. Allow around 90 minutes; small children need breaks and an examination under time pressure gives unreliable results.
Signs to look out for
- Frequent rubbing or blinking, screwing up the eyes
- Holding books, tablets or toys very close to the face
- Tilting or turning the head to look at something
- Tripping, missing when reaching for things, hesitating on stairs
- Headaches or tiring quickly when reading at school age
Do not wait for the next routine check
A squint, shaking eyes, a pupil that looks white or unusual, light-shy or constantly watering eyes: please make an appointment promptly, whatever the child’s age. A pupil that appears white in a flash photograph should always be checked without delay.
Common questions
My baby’s eyes sometimes drift, is that a problem?
In the first months babies are still learning to fix both eyes on the same point, and occasional drifting is normal, particularly when tired. As a guide, it should settle by around four months. If it continues after that, if it is always the same eye, or if it appears suddenly, have it checked.
We see nothing unusual. Do we still need to come?
Yes. Some forms of squint are so slight that nobody notices them, not the parents and not the paediatrician. The angle is tiny, but the brain still suppresses the image from that eye and it falls behind in development. This is exactly why the programme applies to all children.
Will my child need eye drops?
Not at every check, but yes for the first accurate measurement of refractive errors. Children focus very strongly and can mask long-sightedness, so without drops the readings are misleading. The drops take 30 to 45 minutes to work and the child will be light-sensitive for a few hours afterwards.
Can short-sightedness be slowed down?
Not stopped, but slowed. There are special spectacle lenses and contact lenses for this. The best evidence, and the cheapest measure, is time outdoors: around two hours a day.
Can we speak English at the appointment?
Yes. If you would like the findings written in English as well, please say so during the appointment rather than afterwards.
When booking online, please choose the appointment type MUKI for an Eltern-Kind-Pass examination, or Kindertermin for anything else.
Phone +43 1 909 22 22 · Email anmeldung@schild-burggasser.at · Ketzergasse 51, ground floor, 1230 Vienna.