Back-to-school season means new backpacks, school supplies, sports schedules and busy family calendars. As you prepare your child for a successful school year, there is one important item that is often overlooked: their vision.
Clear vision is important to both the classroom and playing field. From reading the board and completing schoolwork to tracking a ball and reacting quickly during a game, children rely on their eyes throughout the day.
Vision and Learning Go Hand in Hand
Reading, writing, tracking words across a page, and shifting focus between near and far all require different visual skills.
When a vision problem goes unnoticed, a child may have difficulty keeping up in the classroom or become frustrated with schoolwork.
Some signs that your child may be experiencing a vision problem include:
- Squinting or closing one eye to see
- Sitting very close to screens
- Holding books or devices unusually close
- Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
- Losing their place while reading
- Avoiding reading or close-up activities
- Having difficulty seeing the board
- Frequently rubbing their eyes
Children do not always realize that what they are experiencing is related to their vision, so they may not know how to tell a parent or teacher that something is wrong.
Seeing Their Best on the Playing Field
For student-athletes, vision is just as important outside the classroom. They rely on their eyes to track moving objects, judge distances, recognize teammates and opponents, and react quickly to what’s happening around them.
If your child plays sports, an eye exam can help identify vision issues that may affect their ability to perform comfortably and confidently.
Protective eyewear is also important for sports where there is a risk of eye injury. Talk with your eye doctor about the appropriate protection for your child’s activity.
Are Vision Screenings Enough?
School and pediatrician vision screenings can help identify children who may need additional care, but they do not replace a comprehensive eye exam. A full evaluation looks at more than just how clearly your child can see and can assess eye health, focusing ability and how the eyes work together.
Add an Eye Exam to Your Back-to-School Checklist
Between shopping for school supplies and getting ready for a new sports season, it can be easy to overlook your child’s eyes. Scheduling an eye exam can help ensure they are ready to see their best in the classroom, on the field and throughout the school year.
At Simon Eye, our optometrists provide pediatric eye care and can help identify vision and eye health concerns throughout childhood.
Help your child start the school year seeing their best.
