While a vision screening by a family practice doctor is well and good, it should not a substitute for an eye exam performed by an optometrist (OD) or ophthalmologist (eye MD). Your child’s eye health and vision require an expert assessment by the above mentioned doctors because, well, they both have years of expertise, advanced training, and the necessary tools to perform a thorough evaluation of your kid’s eyes and vision.

Because a child’s eyes are constantly in use in the classroom and at play good vision is key, as they face increasing demands on their visual abilities from the size of print in textbooks to the amount of time spent reading and studying not to mention, the increased workload and homework that can compromise a child’s optical health. There more to visual health beyond seeing clearly or having 20/20 eyesight and to ensure your kid’s do not have no vision problems that could interfere with school performance, teachers and parents need to be aware of for symptoms that may indicate a child has a vision problem.

Bear in mind that a small child may not tell you that he or she is experiencing any vision problems because they may think it’s “normal,” consequently, the child goes on about their learning, only with a lowered level of comprehension or efficiency. Additionally, students with a learning-related vision problem or when their optical skills are lacking or not functioning properly may experience headaches, eyestrain, and fatigue. Did you know that when vision problems are left undetected and untreated, they can elicit similar signs commonly attributed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), like hyperactivity? A student’s eye needs may change frequently during each passing school year, which is why your child should have a comprehensive vision exam with their optometrist to avoid misdiagnosis.

Some of the most common optical problems experienced among school-aged children are blurry vision or refractive error caused by nearsightedness or Myopia farsightedness also known as Hyperopia, including a condition that causes resulting in blurry vision called Astigmatism. However, do not assume that if a child passes a school screening or even if they can see clearly and have 20/20 vision that there is no vision problem, no, why? Even if a child passes a vision screening, they should receive a comprehensive Optometric examination because they can still have a problem eye focusing, eye tracking, and eye coordination problem.

You need to seek optometry services because the earlier a vision problem is detected and treated, the more likely treatment will be successful. While children at age 3 or just before they start kindergarten can visit an eye care health doctor, a child as young as six months can still have an eye exam because the last thing you want is for your kid’s uncorrected vision problem to be the reason they end up struggling in school due to their inability to read.

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