Does Your Child Need an Eye Exam At the Start of the School Year? | Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

It's almost that time of year again. The long days of summer are ending, the weather gets a little cooler, and a new school year starts.

Whether your child is just starting elementary school, entering high school, or even heading off to college, you want to give them the tools they need to succeed. One of the best ways to promote success in school is to make sure your child does not have any vision issues.
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August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month, and it reminds us of the importance of eye health.
One way to protect your child's eyes is to get a comprehensive eye exam. What better time of year to have one than the start of the school year?
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Continue reading for a look at the benefits of a back-to-school eye exam and how it can help your child start the school year right. 

Why eye exams for children are crucial 

Your child's vision can change as they age and go through school. An eye exam helps identify vision changes and ensure proper treatment if needed.

Although children learn differently, many are visual learners. Undiagnosed vision and eye conditions can adversely affect your child's learning.

Undiagnosed vision issues can also lead to:

• Reduced self-esteem
• Decreased social interactions
• Lower school performance

The sooner your child has a vision issue diagnosed and treated, the better it is for their development and overall academic performance.
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What will a comprehensive eye exam detect?

Not all children realize they have vision problems.  For instance, depending on your child's age, some kids may think everyone sees the same way they do. Your child may also not be able to articulate the type of vision problems they are experiencing.

A comprehensive eye exam can help spot various types of vision issues, such as:

• Farsightedness
• Nearsightedness
• Astigmatism 

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Benefits of an eye exam for children 

A comprehensive eye exam at the start of the school year can have several benefits for your child, such as the following:

Avoid academic issues related to vision: Diagnosing issues early may prevent potential learning problems related to vision conditions from developing.

Improve self-esteem: If your child has struggled academically due to vision problems, it can hurt their self-esteem. Correcting eye issues may help boost your child's self-confidence.

Protect eye health: Comprehensive eye exams are the best way to protect your child's eye health and vision. An exam helps diagnose issues early and get appropriate treatment.

Provides education: During an eye exam, your eye care specialist may educate your child on age-appropriate practices to maintain healthy eyes and vision.
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Tips for parents to promote healthy eyes in their child

As a parent, there are things you can do to promote healthy eyes and vision in your child, such as:
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• Watch for vision problems in your child, such as rubbing their eyes, difficulty focusing on tasks, and frequent headaches.

• Model good eye care practices, such as getting comprehensive eye exams yourself.
• Encourage children to wear sunglasses and use sunscreen to protect their eyes from UV damage.
• Teach your child about eye health, such as proper eyeglass or contact lens care.
• Limit screen time to reduce digital eye strain.
• Encourage healthy habits in children such as regular exercise, proper sleep, and good nutrition.
• Talk to older children about the health hazards of smoking and vaping.

We hope the above information helps encourage you to start the school year with an eye exam. If you have any concerns about your child's vision, we are happy to help.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.