Why Back-to-School Season Means Back to the Eye Doctor
Going back to school means a lot of exciting things: new clothes, new shoes, a new backpack, and a new teacher. But, there’s one essential item that’s sometimes left off this back-to-school checklist — making appointments for comprehensive eye exams. Why do you have to get your child to visit your trusted eye care provider before classes start? Read along to find out why back to school season means back to the eye doctor.
Three Reasons Why Your Kid Should Not Miss a Back-to-School Eye Exam
Vision Problems. Like all other parts of the body, your kid’s eyes are also still developing. It doesn’t mean he or she had 20/20 visual acuity last year; it will be the same this year. An eye doctor will have the right tools, skillset, and experience to identify possible vision problems before they get worse. These issues include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, to name a few. An eye checkup will ensure that your child will not have trouble seeing throughout the school year.
Learning Challenges. Going back to school means your child will spend a lot of time sitting in classrooms, finishing homework, and researching on the computer. Your child may not realize it, but his or her vision could be a factor that keeps him or her from academic success. Having an unclear or unbalanced vision can make a wide range of schoolwork tough. Even simple tasks, such as reading the chalkboard, can result in eye strain, headaches, and double vision. With routine eye care, you can help maximize your child’s education.
Limited School Vision Screenings. Every year, school nurses conduct necessary health checks for their students, including vision screenings. It’s common to see a school nurse administer an eye exam by assessing how well a student can see from a given distance. This test is an excellent starting point, but it is hardly comprehensive. Specific screening methods in school can provide information that serves as indicators of severe vision problems. However, some issues can go undetected due to the absence of outward symptoms. As a matter of fact, according to the American Optometric Association, about 75 percent of school vision screenings miss vision problems. Just because your child passed a school vision screening doesn’t mean his or her vision is totally fine.
Everyone would probably agree that excellent vision is key to a great school year. In the classroom, being able to see appropriately is critical for many learning activities, such as reading books, seeing the board, and staying focused. Besides, 80 percent of what students learn in school is taught visually. This means that any untreated vision problems can significantly put children at a disadvantage. Outside of the classroom, like on the playground and in many sports and activities, sound eye health is equally essential to your kid’s quality of life and well-being.
Do you need to schedule an eye exam for your child? At TMS Eyecare, we can conduct comprehensive vision screening and help make your kid’s back-to-school transition as smooth as possible. Contact our clinics in Wichita or Arkansas City, Kansas, today, to schedule your consultation.
