Why back to school eye exams are crucial

Vision in children may change frequently during the school years and they should receive and eye examination at least once a year or more…..Unfortunately, parents and educators often incorrectly assume that if a child passes a school screening, there is no vision problem. The most common reason for failing the vision screening is nearsightedness or high farsightedness or high astigmatism which would result in blurry vision. However, a child who can see clearly and has 20/20 vision can still have a vision problem relating to eye focusing, eye tracking and eye coordination , all of which will impact daily life, sports, gait, reading and learning.

If any of these visual skills are lacking or not functioning properly, a child will have to work harder to learn as effectively. They may not tell you that they have a vision problem because they may think that the way they see is the way everyone else sees.

If they still attempt to do the work, they may do it with a lowered level of comprehension or efficiency. They may also experience headaches, eyestrain and fatigue. Parents and teachers need to be alert for symptoms that may indicate a child has a vision problem.

These are some of the signs of vision problems:

-complaints of discomfort or fatigue

-frequent rubbing or blinking

-short attention span

-avoiding reading or close activities….

Luckily, there is an easy way to ensure your child’s healthy vision and overall eye health: get them examined!