Back to School Eye Care

Back to School Planning Don’t Overlook Eye Care

WRITTEN BY

DR. DOROTHY REYNOLDS OF SARATOGA HOSPITAL

Dorothy Reynolds, MD, is a fellowshiptrained pediatric ophthalmologist and head of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Pediatric Eye Care.

Learn more at SaratogaHospital.org

Whether your child is returning to school in the classroom or online, now’s a good time to be on the lookout for vision problems that could affect learning. August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety month and a good reminder of the benefits of vision screening. Experts agree that about 80% of what children learn comes from information that’s presented visually. That places kids with undetected vision problems — roughly 1 in 4 school-aged children in the U.S. — at a significant disadvantage. School can be frustrating for students who can’t see clearly. It’s hard and tiring to keep up when you’re struggling to decipher words and numbers. Confidence suffers when you lag behind your classmates in reading comprehension. Physical activities are less enjoyable if you can’t make out that soccer goal line in the distance. The good news is that vision problems can be detected through appropriate vision screenings, allowing for earlier treatment with better vision outcomes.

SIGNS THAT IT’S TIME FOR AN EYE EXAM

All children should have regular vision screening by their pediatrician, healthcare provider, or school. If the screening identifies a potential vision problem, a complete eye exam with an eye doctor (pediatric ophthalmologist) is recommended to allow for proper treatment. If your child wears glasses or has another eye condition, follow the exam schedule recommended by your eye doctor. Regular eye exams are the best way to make sure your child’s eyes remain healthy and can see clearly. In between vision screenings, watch for the following signs that your child might be having a vision problem: • Squinting • Closing or covering one eye • Tilting their head to one side • Sitting too close to the TV, computer screen, or handheld device • Holding a book close to their face while reading • Losing their place or using their finger to mark their place while reading • Poor reading comprehension • Tiring easily or having trouble concentrating while doing schoolwork • Avoiding close work • Rubbing their eyes frequently • Complaining of double or blurred vision • Experiencing headache, nausea, or dizziness • Clumsiness or poor eye-hand coordination If you don’t have an eye doctor, ask your pediatrician or primary care provider for a recommendation. Even if your child does not need glasses now, that could change as they get older, so a trusted eye doctor is an important member of your family’s healthcare team.

KEEPING YOUNG EYES HEALTHY

Some of the same habits that build overall good health can help lay the foundation for a lifetime of better vision. For example, a heart-healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, especially deep yellow and green ones, is also good for your child’s eyes. Sunscreen and sunglasses go hand in hand to guard against sun damage to your child’s skin and eyes, respectively. And, frequent handwashing can help reduce the spread of eye infections.

PREVENTION IS KEY

Just as routine physicals help keep your child’s body healthy, regular eye and vision screenings — with a complete eye exam with an eye doctor when indicated — can help ensure continued eye and vision health. SF