Eye exams before school are critical, doctors say, as vision issues can go undetected in kids

Why Eye Exams Are Essential for Kids Before Going Back to School

As parents gear up for the back-to-school season in August, it’s important to prioritize eye exams for their children. August is also Children’s Eye Health and Safety month, making it the perfect time to focus on the vision and eye health of kids. Pediatric ophthalmologists emphasize the significance of regular vision screenings to identify and address any eye problems early on.

Getting a comprehensive eye exam is crucial because many vision issues in children can go unnoticed and even be misdiagnosed as conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning disabilities. According to the American Optometric Association, early detection and correction of vision disorders are essential to prevent potential academic and behavioral challenges.

Dr. Daniel Cyr, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Stony Brook Medicine, highlights the importance of professional eye exams for children. Conditions like amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, can easily be missed during school vision screenings. Cyr recommends that children undergo an eye check-up with a pediatric ophthalmologist at least once before starting school, in addition to regular screenings at their annual well visit.

“It’s really important that all children have their eyes checked before school, because we have seen that in recent large well-controlled studies that children who have refractive error, need for glasses and have that corrected do better on their standardized testing scores,” Cyr explains.

In today’s digital age where both adults and children spend more time on devices, the prevalence of myopia or nearsightedness is on the rise. This can lead to eye fatigue and strain. Dr. Cyr suggests following the 20-20-20 rule to combat eye strain – after 20 minutes of focusing on near work, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. This helps the eyes relax and prevents strain, while also giving them a chance to blink and rest.

Ensuring children’s eye health is not just about academic success but also their overall well-being. By prioritizing regular eye exams, parents can set their kids up for a successful school year with clear vision and healthy eyes.

Edited by Allison Elyse Gualtieri