It's Back to School Time!

Your Child’s Vision

It's easy to take a child's vision for granted.

After all, young eyes are healthy eyes, right? Not necessarily. According to the Vision Council of America, 1 in every 4 children has a vision problem that can interfere with learning and behavior.

Additionally, half of all American children have not had a complete eye exam. Of them, many need glasses and don't even know it. And because 80% of everything children learn comes through their eyes, uncorrected vision problems impact their ability to learn and interact with the world around them.

Lincoln (5), Adelaide (3) – LGEC patients.

Can vision problems really affect my child's behavior?

Yes. In fact some vision disorders are misdiagnosed as behavioral problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This can result in a long and difficult process for parents and children, when the real solution may have been as simple as a trip to the eye doctor and proper vision correction.

My child gets vision screenings at school, isn't that good enough?

No. Many parents believe that school vision screenings are sufficient care for their children's eyes. But this is not true. Simple eye checks are good for detecting some common problems such as trouble seeing distance. However, they may not catch everything, including astigmatism and blurred vision, just to name a few.

How do I know if my child has a vision problem?

• Dislike or avoidance of reading
• Short attention span
• Poor coordination when throwing or catching a ball, copying from chalkboard, or tying their shoes
• Placing their head close to their books or sitting close to the TV
• Excessive blinking or eye rubbing
• Using finger or pencil to guide eyes
• Decreased performance in school

Your child does not have the ability to understand or describe vision problems. Remember, in our experience, up to 90% of children will not complain of any visual problems although they might desperately need glasses!!!

How often should I take my child for their eye exam?

The American Optometric Association recommends that children have a complete eye exam at six months, three years and five years of age, or as advised by the optometrist. After that your child should have a complete annual eye exam (or every two years, if no vision correction is required).