August has arrived and that means that many parents are preparing their children for another school year. August has been declared Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month by Prevent Blindness America. When 80% of learning occurs through the eyes, healthy vision is essential to a child’s success in the classroom. In addition to buying school supplies and new clothes, don’t forget to add scheduling a comprehensive eye exam as part of your back to school to-do list.
According to Doug Herriott with Eyecare Associates of Lees Summit having a child’s vision tested by an eye-care professional can lead to greater success in the classroom because much of a child’s learning occurs visually. Studies have shown that some students where learning disabilities have been diagnosed actually have undiagnosed vision problems instead.
Although an eye exam is the ideal way for parents to know whether their children have vision problems, Eyecare Associated of Lees Summit offers some signs and behaviors parents can watch for that may indicate a child is struggling with his or her vision.
What do your child’s eyes look like?
-Eyes don’t line up, one eye may appear to cross or look inwards or outwards.
-Eyes are red, crusty or swollen
-Eyes seem to be red or watery
How does your child act?
-Does your child rub their eyes frequently?
-Close or cover an eye?
-Thrust head forward, hold in an unusual position or tilt their head especially when reading or looking at small objects far away?
-Has any trouble or delays in reading, trouble doing close work, or pulls objects in very close to see?
– Avoids up close work?
-Blinks more then usual?
-Tends to squint or frown?
-Get headaches?
-Feel sick or nauseous?
Does your child ever make comments like?
-My eyes are blurry?
-My eyes feel scratchy?
-My eyes are burning?
-I can’t see very well?
-Things look double?
If you notice these symptoms, make sure you schedule an appointment with an eye care professional. Amblyopia, strabismus, color blindness and refractive errors are the most common conditions that affect children’s vision.
Eye safety is also another important part of your child’s eye health. Each year thousands of kids sustain some form of eye injury. Taking proper precautions such as wearing protective eyewear can prevent about 90% of those injuries. From sports to toys and fireworks, eye injuries can happen any time anywhere. You can help to safeguard your child’s vision by purchasing age-appropriate toys and encouraging them to wear protective eyewear during sports and other recreational activities.
Of course accidents do happen, so if your child does experience an eye injury, make sure they do not rub or touch their eye and seek medical attention from a trusted eye care professional as soon as possible.
Call or Text us 816-524-8900 or schedule your eye exam online today.
