One in four school-aged children have some type of vision problem, yet the vast majority – nearly 80 percent – have not had an eye exam by age four. Most parents may think their four or five-year-old is too young to have their eyes examined, but many doctors recommend comprehensive tests before children enter kindergarten because vision problems can greatly affect the ability to learn and retain information.
Eighty percent of learning in a child’s first 12 years is visual, making proper eyesight fundamental to reading and other base foundations for learning. Children need to have the full benefit of learning ability during their first years in school to prevent the potential for falling behind. Another reason early eye exams are recommended is because some conditions, such as amblyopia, more commonly known as “lazy eye,” are more easily treated in young children. Amblyopia affects up to three out of every 100 people and is most successfully treated in early childhood, but in some cases, the condition isn’t detected until the child undergoes a comprehensive eye exam. Other vision problems are also best discovered during the growth and development of a child’s visual system. By the time a child reaches school age, their visual system has already completed its development.
Other common vision problems faced by school-aged children are conjunctivitis or pink eye; a scratch of the front clear surface of the eye known as the cornea – a scratched cornea can be painful and sensitive to light; myopia, or near-sightedness, which allows children to see objects that are close to them clearly, while objects that are further away appear blurry; hyperopia, or far-sightedness, which doesn’t typically require correction unless it causes the eyes to cross or becomes otherwise excessive; astigmatism, which is an irregular corneal shape which can cause blurry vision; and strabismus, the medical term for misaligned or crossed eyes. This occurs in about 4 percent of children and can require treatment such as patching, glasses or surgery.
The link between learning and eyesight is significant, particularly because children will quickly learn to cope with vision problems, perhaps without even realizing it. Problems reading the blackboard, computer screens or textbooks don’t just result in less than stellar grades, it can also effect self-esteem and mood. Although parents should keep a close eye on their children’s visual health, teachers should also be on the lookout for the warning signs of vision problems. These include squinting, closing or covering one eye; excessive blinking or rubbing of the eyes; dislike or avoidance of close work; placing the head too close to books or screens when reading; short attention span; turning or tilting the head to one side; complaints of headaches, nausea and dizziness; excessive clumsiness; and/or performing below potential and exhibiting other unexplainable learning difficulties.
To prepare your child for an eye exam, explain what will happen. Tell them that the doctor will ask them to read letters or identify objects, shine a light in their eyes, and perhaps use eye drops. Make sure they understand that the eye drops might sting a bit, but won’t hurt.
Technorati
One in four school-aged children have some type of vision problem, yet the vast majority – nearly 80 percent – have not had an eye exam by age four. Most parents may think their four or five-year-old is too young to have their eyes examined, but many doctors recommend comprehensive tests before children enter kindergarten because vision problems can greatly affect the ability to learn and retain information.
Eighty percent of learning in a child’s first 12 years is visual, making proper eyesight fundamental to reading and other base foundations for learning. Children need to have the full benefit of learning ability during their first years in school to prevent the potential for falling behind. Another reason early eye exams are recommended is because some conditions, such as amblyopia, more commonly known as “lazy eye,” are more easily treated in young children. Amblyopia affects up to three out of every 100 people and is most successfully treated in early childhood, but in some cases, the condition isn’t detected until the child undergoes a comprehensive eye exam. Other vision problems are also best discovered during the growth and development of a child’s visual system. By the time a child reaches school age, their visual system has already completed its development.
Other common vision problems faced by school-aged children are conjunctivitis or pink eye; a scratch of the front clear surface of the eye known as the cornea – a scratched cornea can be painful and sensitive to light; myopia, or near-sightedness, which allows children to see objects that are close to them clearly, while objects that are further away appear blurry; hyperopia, or far-sightedness, which doesn’t typically require correction unless it causes the eyes to cross or becomes otherwise excessive; astigmatism, which is an irregular corneal shape which can cause blurry vision; and strabismus, the medical term for misaligned or crossed eyes. This occurs in about 4 percent of children and can require treatment such as patching, glasses or surgery.
The link between learning and eyesight is significant, particularly because children will quickly learn to cope with vision problems, perhaps without even realizing it. Problems reading the blackboard, computer screens or textbooks don’t just result in less than stellar grades, it can also effect self-esteem and mood. Although parents should keep a close eye on their children’s visual health, teachers should also be on the lookout for the warning signs of vision problems. These include squinting, closing or covering one eye; excessive blinking or rubbing of the eyes; dislike or avoidance of close work; placing the head too close to books or screens when reading; short attention span; turning or tilting the head to one side; complaints of headaches, nausea and dizziness; excessive clumsiness; and/or performing below potential and exhibiting other unexplainable learning difficulties.
To prepare your child for an eye exam, explain what will happen. Tell them that the doctor will ask them to read letters or identify objects, shine a light in their eyes, and perhaps use eye drops. Make sure they understand that the eye drops might sting a bit, but won’t hurt.
Technorati