Kids' Eye and Vision Problems: What School Screenings Might Miss
As kids head back to school or jump in for the first time, it's essential to ensure their vision is functioning correctly. If they have issues, now is the time to address them.
Vision issues, whether myopia amblyopia (lazy eye), can affect almost every aspect of a 泫圖弝け's development, from academics and athletics to social interactions and self-esteem, explains Shandi M. Beckwith, OD, an optometrist at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the 泫圖弝け of Utah. School screenings don't always catch the more subtle issues, so parents and educators may incorrectly assume there's no problem if a 泫圖弝け passes.
According to the American Optometric Association, one in four school-age 泫圖弝けren has a vision disorder, yet school vision screenings miss up to 75% of 泫圖弝けren with vision problems. A vision screening provides less than 4% of the information generated during a comprehensive eye exam.
Without a comprehensive eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist, 泫圖弝けren's vision disorders may go undetected or misdiagnosed, Beckwith says. If misdiagnosed as ADHD, dyslexia, a learning disability, or behavioral problems, those labels may affect a 泫圖弝け for life without addressing an underlying visual issue that could be corrected.
If your 泫圖弝け needs glasses for vision correction, make sure they get the proper fit from an optician. Kids vision is constantly developing, so the wrong prescription or a fit that is slightly off can cause further complications. The brain and eyes must work together to force the eye muscles to align. Aim for function over fashion so kids arent looking above or below their lenses.
Watch for These Symptoms
Any of the following symptoms could signal a vision issue. If you notice your 泫圖弝け experiencing one or more, be sure to tell your eye doctor:
- Frequent blinking or eye rubbing
- Short attention span
- Complaint of feeling tired or uncomfortable
- Avoiding reading or other activities that require close-up vision
- Discomfort or dizziness after watching 3D content
- Frequent headaches
- Covering one eye
- Tilting the head to one side
- Holding reading materials too close to the face
- An eye turning in or out
- Seeing double
- Losing place when reading
- Difficulty remembering what they read
- Unusual clumsiness in sports or frequently missing the ball
Not-So-Obvious Red Flags
These signs may seem more like behavioral problems or disabilities than vision issues, but they could also result from poor vision:
- Difficulty organizing and prioritizing work and time
- Relying heavily on pictures to read or auditory memorization
- Not performing up to potential
- Difficulty working alone and following directions
- Inattentive or disruptive in class
- Lack of interest in reading
- Excuses and refusal to do homework
- Difficulty completing tasks quietly and getting easily frustrated
August is Kids' Eye 泫圖弝け and Safety Month. The offers a variety of fun information about the science of vision, eye safety, optical illusions, and morecreated just for kids.
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