It's time to head back to school... are your kiddos ready?

It’s time to go back to school! Granted, I am much more excited about this time of the year as a parent than I was as a child. I can almost hear the sound of silence in the mornings. Back to school time is traditionally a busy time in the world of eye doctors. We still wish it were busier! Nearly 50% of children fail to have their vision checked on a routine basis. But what about the school screenings that occur each year? Screenings have been shown to miss 75% of children with vision problems. Of the 25% of children identified with a significant vision problem, only 39% will report to an eye doctor to have their specific problem addressed. 
 

So, what are some signs that you can watch for that may indicate that your child needs an updated eye exam? The list is extensive but we will touch on the three most common signs that we encounter. 
 

• Squinting - When a child squints it is usually a giveaway that he or she is trying to create a pinhole effect in order to see more clearly. The most common underlying causes of squinting are uncorrected myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. Refractive error can develop at any age but is most commonly encountered in children between the ages of 7-9. 

• Closing an eye while reading - This will often be the clue that indicates the child may be experiencing double vision, or at the very least blurry vision when he or she is reading. 

• Headaches - Children should very rarely indicate that they have a headache. When headaches are reported during the school year, one of the leading causes is an uncorrected refractive error. This may be due to blurred near vision coupled with an increased demand for reading, or it may be the result of excessive squinting in an attempt to see more clearly. Whatever the cause, a comprehensive eye exam is necessary to properly assess whether the child’s vision is contributing to the headaches. 

The list of vision issues encountered amongst children could conceivably be much, much longer. Whether your child actively complains of blurred vision or not, a comprehensive eye exam once per year is recommended to rule out any vision-related issues. The eyes are more than a gateway to the soul. They are, in fact, the bedrock of a solid education.