As we approach the start of the new school year, appointments for children's annual eye health and vision exams become increasingly urgent. Don't wait until the last minute to schedule your child's exam! Now is the best time to arrange for your annual visit before the hustle and bustle of school days and after school activities.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD NEEDS A VISION EXAM?
Sometimes it can be difficult for a parent to know when a child may need glasses, and many times a child won't complain of vision problems because they assume everyone else sees the world they same as they do. Many parents simply rely on school screenings or teachers to tell them if their children may need glasses, but an eyecare professional will be able to perform a much more comprehensive exam that includes testing depth and color perception as well as eye muscle movement. An eye doctor will also be able to determine if a child is simply faking because they want to wear glasses.
Some early warning signs you can look for from your child include:
- squinting
- holding books or toys closer to their face
- sitting closer to the television
- frequently rubbing their eyes
- complaints of headaches or eye strain
WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD START GETTING EYE EXAMS?
Eye exams are extremely important for children, because 80% of everything a child learns by age 12 is acquired visually. Vision disorders are the fourth most common disability among U.S. children.
We recommend a child get their first comprehensive vision exam at age three, again at six, and then every year thereafter as they grow. Children don't necessarily have to know their alphabet, either. Our digital vision charts can also display numbers or familiar shapes and pictures your child may more easily recognize.
Eye exams are about more than just vision, too. Our comprehensive exams will evaluate the health of your child's eyes to determine if any more serious conditions exist, such as juvenile diabetes, arthritis or even brain tumors. Correcting vision errors will often improve a child's behavior and correct learning disabilities.
THE RIGHT STUFF
Selecting the perfect pair of glasses for your child can be a confusing process, but we can help you find the right pair that is durable, stylish, functional and safe.
All of our children's lenses are made from a sturdy polycarbonate lens material that is lightweight and impact resistant, and includes UV protection. We also strongly recommend applying an anti-reflective coating to any child's lenses, as it will increase clarity and improve vision when looking at projector screens, televisions, computers, or when working under fluorescent lighting. These anti-reflective coatings also include stronger scratch protection and additional UV protection, and can drastically increase the life of your lenses.
Some of our most popular kids' frames are made with flexible bridge pieces and temples that bend or rotate on specialized hinges to reduce the risk of breaking. And all of our frames include a two year temple-to-temple warranty against defects.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
