Send Your Child to School with Focus

August 07, 2006

There's one exam that could change a child's future. It requires no studying, no books and no previous education. It isn't given by a teacher or even in a classroom. It's an eye exam administered by an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist). It can shape a child's lifelong attitude toward learning.

Unfortunately, it is estimated that just 14 percent of children receive an eye exam before starting school. Instead, most receive a vision screening from a school nurse or pediatrician. But these screenings may miss some common vision problems.

"Eye exams are as important as immunizations before a child starts school," said Andrea Thau, O.D., a children's vision specialist. "Many children who are frustrated in school simply aren't able to see well. Unless their vision problem is diagnosed and corrected, the child may never feel comfortable in a classroom and may never develop into a productive student."

One reason good eye health is so important is that 80 percent of what children learn is through their eyes. Children who can't see well struggle unnecessarily with their class work. Their problems can often just be fixed with a pair of glasses.

"It hardly seems fair to send children to school without the most basic tools," Dr. Thau said. "Sending children to school with eye problems is much worse than sending them without pencils or paper. Yet millions of parents do it every day. It puts these children at a disadvantage before the first school bell even rings."

Eighty-six percent of children in the U.S. start school without first having an eye exam. This puts millions of children at risk of learning difficulties. In addition, some vision problems can cause permanent vision loss. "There's nothing worse than examining a child with amblyopia... and telling the parents that we could have prevented this vision loss if we had seen the child sooner," said Dr. Thau.

While there are warning signs, it can be tough to know if a child has a vision problem. Many times, children may not know what they're supposed to be seeing. The best way to ensure that children have healthy vision is by making sure they have an eye exam before starting school.

Eye exams can also detect other serious problems that require medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss. Additionally, certain conditions can only be corrected if they're detected early.

To safeguard your children's vision health:

  1. Make sure that they receive a comprehensive eye exam before starting school
  2. Wear sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV-protection when outdoors
  3. Use protective sports goggles if participating in any activities that involve a flying object (e.g. baseball) or rough contact

In addition, if you notice any of the following signs in your children, make sure they see an eye doctor right away:

Printed with permission from the Vision Council of America and the American Optometric Association. For additional vision health information, please visit www.checkyearly.com or speak with your eye-care professional.

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