When was the last time your child had an eye exam? Many parents are surprised to learn that children can benefit from annual eye exams, especially children who are elementary school aged. According to the American Optometric Association, 5 to 10 percent of preschoolers and 25 percent of school-aged children have vision problems.
3 Reasons for an Annual Eye Exam
Children should have their eyes first examined at three years of age and then again at age five or six. If no vision correction is required, school aged children should have an eye exam at a minimum every two years; should corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses be required, children will benefit from annual exams, as recommended by an eye doctor.
Don’t put off your child’s annual eye exam! Here are three reasons to schedule your child’s exam today:
#1: Visual learning. An annual eye exam for children is especially important for visual learning. Much of the learning that occurs in the early school years is visual: memorizing shapes and colors based on sight, learning to recognize words and begin sight reading, and even understanding more complex mathematical concepts like fractions.
#2: Improved focus in the classroom. When children are unable to properly see, they can struggle to focus on the teacher, the blackboard and their reading material. Consequently, children with vision problems may be more likely to “goof off” or distract other students and earn a reputation as a troublemaker. A child who is unable to read printed material or see the blackboard will become easily frustrated, leading to poor academic performance that can put your child behind the rest of his classmates.
#3: Correct vision problems early. Some vision problems, like a lazy eye, are most easy to treat when they are detected and addressed early. Early detection and correction also helps to prevent bigger issues from developing, such as delayed learning or poor behavior in the classroom, which would be caused by untreated vision issues.
If your child complains about constant headaches or is straining to read content, your child may need an eye exam.
Does your child wear glasses?