Back_To_School_Eye_Exams_Children_Eye_Health.jpg With summer vacation coming to an end, many students and parents are beginning to prepare for the upcoming school year. But between purchasing school supplies, signing up for fall activities and sports, orientations, and finishing up last-minute summer trips, many forget to schedule an eye exam prior to the start of the school year. In fact only 50 percent of parents take their children under 12 years old to visit their eye doctor, even though skipping annual visits can lead to vision problems being missed in their early stages.

Making sure your child’s eyes are in good health and are ready for the school year ahead is important, and scheduling a comprehensive eye exam is the only way to diagnose any vision problems or concerns early on. Still not convinced? We’ve compiled a few reasons why you should add a back to school vision exam to your list of things to do before the first day of school.

Vision Dependence in School: Children tend to be visual learners, so schools rely on visuals to keep students engaged. If a child is having problems seeing the chalkboard, reading books, or participating in sports or activities, they tend become frustrated, which leads to learning being negatively impacted. School infirmaries do offer vision checks, but they are often limited in scope and rarely pinpoint issues in a child’s vision. That’s why the best way to keep your child’s vision in check is to take them in for annual eye exams. This way, they’ll be ready to hit the books without worrying about their vision.

Changes in Eyesight: As children get older and use their eyes for more computer work or reading, they can start to experience vision problems. Nearsightedness can develop or worsen between ages 11 and 13, so it’s important to check up on this if your child is having issues seeing what’s on the chalkboard or across the room. Other issues, like farsightedness, strabismus, and astigmatism can also be diagnosed during a comprehensive vision exam.

Set your child up for success in the upcoming school year by checking up on their eye health. Addressing and diagnosing any issues prior to the first day of school will not only keep your child’s vision in check, but also save them from frustration and headaches as the year progresses. Everett and Hurite’s staff can assist you with questions and any other eye concerns you may have. Schedule your back to school appointment by contacting us today!