As the new school year gets underway, parents have a long list of things to prepare for their children, including getting school supplies and picking out a new wardrobe. But, it's also crucial to add scheduling an eye exam for your child to this list. Did you know that some children may be misdiagnosed with learning disabilities like ADHD or dyslexia when their vision is the actual problem? Even children with perfect eyesight (20/20) can struggle with other vital visual skills that can impact their learning ability. If you're surprised by this, keep reading for more surprising facts and useful tips to remember when scheduling your child's back-to-school eye exam.
Why Do Kids Need Eye Exams Before the New School Year?
Did you know that up to 80% of classroom learning is based on vision? This means that children who have trouble seeing may have a harder time keeping up with their peers. Many important skills are involved in optimal learning, including reading, writing, following along with the whiteboard, and focusing on moving images. There are 17 specific visual skills that are essential for learning, such as eye tracking, binocular coordination, visual memory, visual thinking, and more. It's important to remember that only a pediatric optometrist can accurately diagnose a visual problem. School vision screenings do not assess a child's visual skills or check the health of their eyes.
Signs to Look Out For: Behaviors that May Indicate a Vision Problem
It's important to keep an eye out for certain behaviors and symptoms that may indicate a vision problem in your child, even if they have good visual acuity. Some of these symptoms include frequent eye rubbing, head tilting, squinting, complaints of headaches, frequent blinking and eye tearing, covering or closing one eye when focusing, losing their place when reading, poor reading comprehension, avoiding visually intensive activities, sitting very close to screens, holding books close to their face, and difficulty concentrating. Recognizing these symptoms can help you take action to address any potential vision issues.
What to Expect at a Routine Eye Exam
When you take your child to the optometrist, they will check their eyes thoroughly and conduct various tests to determine their visual abilities. If needed, a pediatric optometrist may use toys and games to help your child feel comfortable during the process. It's important to inform the optometrist of any eye-related illnesses or conditions that run in your family to ensure the best possible care for everyone. If your child needs any visual correction, such as a new lens prescription, the optometrist will guide you through the options for glasses or contact lenses that are most suitable for your child.
If your child needs eyeglasses, we’re here for you at the Optical Shop of Westport! We can help you and your children with all of your eyewear needs. Contact us by calling (203) 222-7870 or emailing us OpticalShopofWestport@gmail.com to make an appointment! We look forward to helping you.