Headed Back to School
Four Reasons Why Your Child Should Have an Eye Exam
A vision screening at school, church or even a pediatrician is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. Serious eye health and vision concerns can be missed at a screening, certain states are mandating children have a comprehensive exam before entering school. The doctors at Envision Eyecare advise yearly eye health exams for children for the following important reasons:
- 80% of learning occurs through the visual system, and in order for your child to reach his/her full potential in school, it is critical that eye tracking, acuity, and focusing are functioning properly.
- Most ultraviolet radiation damage to the eyes occurs in the first 2 decades of life, so it’s important your child’s eyes are protected with the sunglasses that protect against Ultraviolet and Blue light filters.
- Long term exposure to blue light emitted from the sun and digital devices is harmful to the eye. This may also affect sleep patterns and cause eyestrain.
- Vision screenings only test eye sight, not eye health, and it’s important your child’s eye health is evaluated as well.
Unfortunately, studies show that only 31% of children, ages 6-16 have an annual eye exam, and 70% of children under the age of 6 have never had an eye exam.
As a result, 1 in 4 children will go back to school this year with an undiagnosed vision problem that could interfere with learning.
The following is a true story about a pediatric patient who would have passed a vision screening: Dr. Bryant examined a child with no complaints and 20/20 vision. The child had swollen optic nerves indicating a potential brain tumor. Fortunately, the child was quickly diagnosed and underwent urgent surgical intervention to save his life. This is an extreme example, and rare, however it illustrates why a comprehensive eye health exam is so important for all children.
