August is here, and before we know it, summer will come to a close. You know what that means — school! This time of year is often spent soaking up the last days of summer while also prepping for school. Parents should consider adding an eye exam to their to-do list for their children! The importance of eye exams goes far beyond simply checking their vision, as it can also detect other severe eye conditions.
August Is Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. The purpose of this month is to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of children’s eyes. Did you know that one in twenty children between the ages of three and five have a vision problem that could result in vision loss if untreated? As a result, getting children to see the eye doctor annually is crucial to prevent further issues.
Eye Exams Can…
Check Vision
With school just around the corner, children must be able to see what the teacher is doing on the board! If a child suffers from poor vision, it can be hard for them to focus. In turn, it can be difficult for them to be successful at school. An annual eye exam can check their vision to ensure they can succeed and lead a healthy and happy life inside and outside the classroom.
Provide Early Detection for Other Conditions
Left untreated, some eye conditions can cause irreversible damage to the eyes, like vision loss. For instance, amblyopia, or lazy eye, can be corrected if treatment is started at a young age. However, it may not be successfully treated if treatment begins at ages 8 or 9. Going to the eye doctor annually can help identify different eye conditions to ensure any problems are caught and solved accordingly.
How Often Should You Take Kids to the Eye Doctor?
The American Optometric Association recommends that school-aged children receive an eye exam every two years, as long as vision correction is not required. However, they suggest an annual eye exam if a child has glasses or contacts. So, how can you recognize that your child is having difficulty seeing? There are a few things you can do to stay on top of your child’s vision, like:
- Talk to your children and ask where they sit in class and if they can see what the teacher is doing on the screen or board.
- Look for physical signs like if they’re rubbing their eyes, squinting, or any other indication of eyestrain.
- Take note if they have headaches or tiredness after looking at a screen.
The importance of eye exams is far more than simply ensuring your children can see. Having healthy vision can help kids better focus in school! Not to mention, eye exams can catch eye conditions that may be problematic down the line. Ahead of the new school year, try to schedule an eye exam for your child to ensure they remain happy and healthy.
Adams Crossing provides residents with the top affordable luxury apartments in Waldorf. We love offering fun and useful information to our residents, helping them enjoy all that apartment living in Charles County has to offer. Schedule a tour with one of our marketing professionals to see why we’re a 2020 Top Rated apartment community through ApartmentRatings!
