Back-To-School: Why Eye Exams Are More Important Than Ever

Since the onset of COVID-19, many children have been learning remotely through distance learning programs. While parents are concerned about their children falling behind academically, eye doctors are concerned that undiagnosed vision problems may impact the child's school performance.

Undetected vision problems may hinder a child's ability to learn. That's why eye doctors strongly recommend that children undergo a thorough eye exam before the new school year begins.

While it's tempting to rely on vision screenings provided by schools, these superficial visual acuity tests can identify only a limited number of eyesight problems. Only a comprehensive eye exam conducted by an eye doctor can accurately diagnose and address a wide range of problems related to vision and eye health.

Why Are Eye Exams Important?

Up to 80% of children's learning is visual, so even the slightest vision problem can have a negative impact on their academic achievement. Taking a child in for an eye exam once a year will allow your eye doctor to detect and correct refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism, and check their visual skills.

How Is Vision Affected By Online Learning?

The amount of time children spend looking at digital screens was already a concern in the pre-pandemic era — but COVID pandemic has only exacerbated the issue. For one thing, spending prolonged periods of time on digital devices forces the eyes to work harder, making children more susceptible to digital eye strain.

In addition, several studies have found that children who spend many hours indoors doing "near work" — writing, reading and looking at computers and other digital devices — have a higher rate of myopia progression.

Don't put off your child's annual eye exam. Schedule an appointment with Grove City Vision Center in Grove City today!

Q&A

1. At what age should a child have an eye exam?

According to the American and Canadian Optometric Associations, it's recommended for a child to have their first eye exam between 6-12 months of age. Before a child starts school, they should undergo an eye exam, and every one to two years after that.

2. Does my child need an eye exam if they passed the school vision screening?

Yes! School vision screenings are superficial eye evaluations designed to diagnose a limited number of vision problems like myopia. They do not check for visual skills and other problems that may hinder your child's academic success.