Optometrists said a comprehensive eye exam can detect other issues as well.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Many parents know about getting a physical for their child before heading back to school, but did you know you should get them a yearly eye exam as well?
Making sure your kids have clear vision is critical since 80% of learning is obtained through their eyes.
Optometrist Dr. Jackie Bowen said eye exams should start before kids even reach school age.
“I’m going to surprise you with my recommendation,” Bowen said. “I think seeing a child between the age of 6 and 12 months is very important to bring the child to the optometrist. Between those ages, the brain and the eyes are rapidly making connections and cortical development is happening at a high speed, and we want to just make sure everything is OK. We don’t often have to put glasses on babies, but there are so many other things that impact their environment and their ability to develop.”
Then, between 3 and 5 years of age, a comprehensive eye exam is necessary before starting school, and during school years, an annual eye vision and eye health exams are recommended. Bowen said kids don’t always tell you when something might be wrong, but there are signs parents should be looking out for.
“A child turning their head, you know, to look at a screen, squinting, of course, is an obvious indicator most people are aware of,” Bowen said. “If they shy away from doing artwork or near material, if you feel like their coordination is off or they’re just not playing on the playground like your other children do, or, you know, children that you see. Anything that you think might be suspicious, it’s worth checking out.”
Bowen said a comprehensive eye exam can detect other issues as well.
“You can’t assume everything is fine just because there’s nothing that’s cropped up as a problem,” Bowen said. “We like to identify early problems and take care of them or monitor them, and it extends way beyond just does your child need glasses or not. Many, many children don’t need glasses but have disorders of the visual system that impact learning, school performance, athletic ability. That translates to engagement socially and self-esteem, so a lifetime habit of having a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist sets a child up for success, not only in school but throughout their growing years and adulthood.”
So, what can parents do to help protect their kids’ eyes?
“I think most parents understand now that we want to limit screen time,” Bowen said. “It’s just instinctively it’s not healthy to let your child sit and stare at a screen for a long period of time. But when they are on the screen, teach them the 202,020 rule. That is every 20 minutes, have the child look 20 ft away or more for 20 seconds or more. That allows the visual system to just kind of relax and reset.”
Bowen said a good way to make sure kids are away from screens getting them outside.
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