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From writing and studying to sports and after-school activities, having clear vision and healthy eyes are instrumental to a child’s learning and development.
However, according to a survey conducted by VSP Vision Care, out of 1,000 parents, 80 percent said back-to-school eye exams were important, yet only 60 percent of moms and 50 percent of dads take their children to an eye doctor before the start of the school year.
There are a few factors that may be preventing parents from understanding the importance of scheduling comprehensive eye exams for their children, so we’re here to set the record straight.
Here are four reasons why regular comprehensive eye exams are essential for kids.
Poor Vision Can Negatively Affect a Child’s Academic Performance and Experience
Roughly 80 percent of what a child learns in school is visually presented to them. And studies have shown that children with unchecked, undiagnosed vision conditions often have problems adjusting at school, difficulties with learning and issues with social interactions.
Additionally, poor vision in children can often result in serious learning-related vision problems that may impact your child for years to come. For instance, many side effects of poor vision in school children include poor performances in reading, writing and concentration.
Vision Screenings Don’t Catch Everything
Although pediatric doctors and schools provide vision screenings, there’s a misconception that these screenings serve as comprehensive eye exams, when, in fact, they don’t. Vision screenings are only able to test for distance vision and visual sharpness, and a child with 20/20 vision might still have an eye condition. Also, vision screenings can miss up to 80 percent of vision problems that may lead to vision loss, if not caught early and treated.
The Eyes May Uncover a Child’s Risk for Depression
According to a study by researchers at Binghamton University, how children’s pupils react to sad faces can help determine their risk of developing depression. They measured the pupils of children of depressed mothers while they viewed angry, happy and sad faces on a screen, and for two years afterward, the children were assessed for depressive symptoms. The researchers discovered that those with relatively greater pupil dilation when viewing sad faces tended to have higher levels of symptoms of a clinically significant depressive episode earlier after the screen test.
The Onset of Vision Problems Doesn’t Always Have Tell-Tale Signs
Sometimes, it can be fairly simple for parents to spot that their child has an eye problem. If a child is experiencing chronic redness or swelling, frequently eye-rubbing or excessively blinking, then it’s definitely time to visit an eye doctor.
However, some symptoms of an eye condition may not appear until the problem has done irreversible damage. With eye care, as with many other medical disciplines, prevention is often the key to lasting health.
At OCLI, we provide a one-stop-shop for all of your child’s eye care needs. Our highly-trained ophthalmologists perform comprehensive eye exams that can help ensure your child enjoys all the benefits that clear vision provides—both in and out of school. And with our convenient optical shop, your child can choose from a wide selection of the latest, most stylish eyeglass frames.
Ready to schedule an eye exam for your child with one of our friendly and experienced doctors? Contact us at OCLI today!
