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Now that we’ve addressed children’s summer eye health and UV safety, it’s time to focus on back-to-school readiness. As parents prepare for the back-to-school season, eye exams may not always be at the top of their to-do list. However, vision problems significantly impact school performance and developmental milestones.

Why pediatric eye exams are essential

Here are some statistics to share with parents and help them understand the importance of pediatric eye exams:

• About 80% of classroom learning is visual. 
• Over 20% of students have a vision disorder.
• Up to 80% of preschoolers do not receive eye exams before starting school.
• Children should have their first eye exam at 6 months, an exam at age 3, and then at the start of each school year.
• Approximately 60% of students with learning disabilities have undetected vision problems.
• ​​The critical period for developing amblyopia extends to about 8 years of age, after which amblyopia becomes more challenging to treat.
• Amblyopia occurs in 2% of children between 6 months and 6 years of age.
• The prevalence of early-onset myopia is steadily increasing, ranging from 15% of 5- to 7-year-old children to 59% of 17- to 19-year-olds.
• Early onset myopia increases the risk for high myopia and diseases such as retinal detachment, primary open-angle glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration.
  
  Signs and symptoms of vision disorders

Not all eye conditions have apparent symptoms. However, there are several signs of vision problems in children that all parents should be aware of:

• Head tilt
• Squinting to watch television or read
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Avoidance of homework or reading
• Using a finger to track words on a page
• Closing or covering one eye to read or view the television
• Holding a book close to the face or sitting close to the television
• Tearing and redness of the eyes for no apparent reason
• Eye turn or crossed eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Complaints of headache or nausea

Regular eye exams are the best way to diagnose and treat these issues early in childhood. Fortunately, nearly 90% of detected vision problems in school-aged children can be corrected with glasses. 

Encouraging children to wear glasses may not be the easiest task. R&D Optical offers a wide array of frame and lens options to please kids and parents alike. Our SunShifters are children’s frames that change color when exposed to ultraviolet light. They are available in nearly two dozen style and size combinations and feature fun colors like fuchsia and light blue. We also offer package pricing of SunShifters with polycarbonate and Trivex lenses.

Consider our Visual Perfection Single Vision 2.0 polycarbonate digital lenses for an upgraded option. They are designed to maximize optics by minimizing oblique astigmatism and are aesthetically pleasing in a thin, lightweight lens. This lens is perfect for active kids who wear sports frames! To find out more about our products and how our VSPⓇ-authorized lab can serve your practice, please visit our website RandDOptical.com or call us at 513-273-4034.