Why Kids Need Eye Care
Five reasons why eye care is important to your child’s development
Children use their eyes constantly throughout the day to read, write, see the chalkboard, work on computers, and play sports. The strain put on their eyes only grows as they get older. While print in books gets smaller, hours spent studying increase. If parents don’t get their children proper vision care, they can fall behind in every aspect of development. Here are five reasons why it’s critical to get your child an eye exam every one to two years, based on their risk factors.
1. 80% of what a child learns occurs through their eyes
When certain visual skills don’t develop or they develop poorly, learning can become more challenging and stressful. Children may even avoid reading and visual work, or attempt to do the work but with less attention to detail. Taking care of children’s eye health is more than just ensuring they see clearly. It’s about children understanding and responding to what they are seeing.
2. Children’s eyes are constantly developing
Your child’s vision can change without them or you noticing it. That’s why regularly scheduling your kid’s eye exams is an important step in making sure that your young one’s eyes are on track and developing properly. If you notice any of the five warning signs of a vision problem in your kid’s eyes, take them to see the eye doctor sooner.
3. 1 in 4 school-age children has a vision problem
Eye care for kids is important because, if left uncorrected, certain problems could result in vision loss. The earlier a vision problem is detected, the more likely treatment will be successful. When needed, doctors can prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, or vision therapy.
4. School vision screenings aren’t designed to catch all vision problems
Up to 11% of children who pass a vision screening may actually have a vision problem that needs treatment. Even when a child fails, they may not get the proper follow-up care from an eye doctor. One study found that 50% of parents were unaware their child had failed a vision screening.
5. Playing sports requires good vision
If a child consistently fails at a certain skill in a sport, like always swinging late in baseball or hitting the front rim of the basketball hoop, they may have a vision problem. Playing sports requires clear distance vision, good depth perception, a wide field of vision, and hand-eye coordination. When necessary, the right eyewear can not only help improve sports abilities but also help protect children from avoidable eye injuries.
So much of a child’s development requires proper vision, but they may not notice or tell you when they’re having trouble seeing clearly. The only way to be sure your child’s eyes are getting the care they need is to arrange regular comprehensive eye exams with a doctor.
Sources:http://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/schoolage.htm
https://www.vsp.com/eye-examinations.html
http://www.allaboutvision.com/shareforsight/
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