Back-to-school eye exams for children
If you’re a parent, the end of the summer break is the time of year when you’re getting your kids ready to go back to school.
One thing that may not be part of your back-to-school routine is an eye examination. But did you know that a quarter of children have a vision problem? This can significantly impact their learning.
Booking a kid’s vision test before the school year starts is the best way to minimize the impact of vision issues on their learning and development and ensure any problems are dealt with as quickly as possible. Read on to learn more about common eye conditions that can affect kids and why eye exams for children are a must for your back-to-school checklist.
Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a common condition that makes distant objects appear blurry. It happens when the eye grows too long or when the cornea is too curved, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina at the back instead of directly on it.
Nearsightedness typically develops during childhood and can worsen over time. It can be corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses. Regular eye exams for children are important for detecting and managing nearsightedness.
Farsightedness
Farsightedness makes nearby objects appear blurry. It happens when the eyeball is too short, or the cornea is too flat. Close-up tasks such as reading or using a computer can be difficult and can cause eye strain or headaches. It can also be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the eye isn’t a perfect sphere but is shaped more like a football. This irregular shape means that light focuses on multiple points in the eye rather than a single point, resulting in blurred or distorted vision at all distances. It’s usually present from birth, and it can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.
These common vision correction issues can affect your child’s learning and development, specifically when it comes to reading, writing, and socializing. Your child might be unaware they’ve got a problem because, to them, it’s normal. That’s why regular trips to an eye doctor for kids are essential.
Signs your child might have an eye condition
Keep an eye out for common signs that your child has an issue with their eyesight, such as:
- squinting
- difficulty concentrating.
- difficulty or reluctance reading
- not being able to see the board at school
- frequent complaining of headaches, particularly after reading or screen time
If you spot any of these signs, we recommend you book an eye examination as soon as possible. Correcting their vision problems will improve their schoolwork (as 80% of a child’s learning is visual), increase their likelihood of participating in extracurricular activities and sports, help them socialize, and support their self-esteem.
When’s best to book a child’s eye exam?
Summer break is an ideal time to book an eye examination. This way, problems can be caught before the start of the school year, and the child can get used to any glasses or contact lenses they need to wear for vision correction.
We generally recommend annual eye exams for children. Our eye doctors will advise you if more frequent visits are required.
Vision can have a big impact on your child’s ability to excel at school and help them socially too. Why not go ahead and schedule an eye exam with our eye doctor in Fort Wayne or Warsaw today so they hit the ground running in the first semester?