Vision doesn’t just happen; it develops over time. When we are born, our vision continues to develop and as we grow, our brains learn how to use our eyes to see in much the same way as it learns to use our legs to walk, or our mouth to talk. If we experience a vision problem that isn’t diagnosed and treated, our brain learns to accommodate them and find a way around them. The longer the problem goes on, the more adept our brain becomes at adapting, and while this versatility is beneficial, it could be avoided simply by having the issue detected early on.

Regular eye exams are recommended for all patients, regardless of their age. One of the best times to schedule an eye exam for your child is just before or as soon as they go back to school. Here’s why.

Up to 80% of learning is through sight

The way in which children learn is more diverse than ever, but around 80% of learning is still presented in a visual format in most schools. Unsurprisingly, this means that if there are issues with your child’s vision, their ability to access their learning could be considerably inhibited. Whether it’s being able to see the board, read a book or participate in an activity or experiment, it’s vital that kids can actively participate in all areas of their education if they are to achieve their academic potential.

Children with undetected vision problems have the potential to be misdiagnosed

Many children who have issues with their vision don’t even realize that there is a problem. Even if they do, they might not be able to adequately describe how they are affected, or they may not want to draw attention to themselves in this way, feeling that the issue somehow makes them odd or stupid. In some cases, children try to manage with their vision problems without alerting anyone simply because they want to avoid wearing glasses. Unfortunately, many kids who have undiagnosed vision problems end up being misdiagnosed with other conditions instead, such as dyslexia or ADHD.

Visual skills are needed for participation in sports and other physical activities

For many kids, sports and athletic activities form an important part of their school life. Being able to take part fully can boost their confidence, help them to feel part of a team, and give them a sense of accomplishment. Nevertheless, participating in sports requires just as many visual skills as learning in a classroom does and without them, your child could struggle with elements such as:

–       Hand-eye coordination

–       Reaction times

–       Tracking a moving object such as a ball moving at the speed

–       Depth perception

–       Focus flexibility; the ability to change focus from near to far objects quickly and vice versa

How do I know if my child has vision problems?

Every child is different, but there are some common signs to be aware of that could indicate that they may be experiencing problems with their vision. These include:

–       Constantly rubbing their eyes

–       Significant sensitivity to light

–       Complaining of headaches and tired eyes

–       Sitting too close to the television or holding a book too close to their eyes

–       Losing their place while reading or using a finger to track their progress

–       Tilting their head to see better

–       Blinking excessively

–       Avoiding activities that require close concentration, like reading or homework

–       Avoiding sports/activities that require hand-eye coordination and other complex visual skills

–       A drop in their expected grades/progress at school

If you haven’t yet scheduled their back to a school eye exam, or if you have concerns about your child’s eyes and would like them to be assessed by a professional, get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable eyecare team today.