PRINCETON, WV (WOAY) – Eyes are said to be windows to the soul.
With vision issues frequently undiagnosed, ensuring your child gets an eye exam before they head back to school could make a world of difference.
“During the summer the kids are out playing and they’re in the pool and they go to the beach; their eyes are relaxed. Then they go to school and next thing you know, they’re opening up books, and doing lessons and homework,” said Lindsey Optical’s Optometrist Dr. Zane Lawhorn. “End up putting a lot of strain on their eyes.”
That is cumulative over time. So as the school year progresses, those issues can present themselves. Lawhorn says that’s why he recommends scheduling an eye exam before it affects a child’s grades and performance.
“Most of the learning that takes place is visual. So it’s unfortunate when children don’t have their eyes examined and have to sit there throughout the day and struggle trying to see to learn,” said the optometrist. “And it’s frustrating for the teachers as well as the students.”
Sometimes the expense can be challenging, but Lawhorn says taking care of your eyes requires an eye exam and glasses or contacts.
“To see children come in and they’re seven or eight and have struggled in school but yet haven’t had their eyes examined — we don’t like to see that,” he said. “We like for people to bring their kids in and take care of things proactively so they won’t get behind in school, and they can take advantage of the education process.”
Teachers will often pick up on vision problems sooner than parents. Something may appear blurry to children.
“So when they come out with a pair of glasses, they’re like, ‘Oh, I didn’t realize that the tree had leaves on it from that distance,” said Lawhorn. “It makes a world of difference for a lot of children.”
You don’t want it to be the middle of the school year before your child’s eyes are checked. If vision problems persist they may struggle in December, January and February.
“The eye strain and discomfort and vision problems focusing has gotten worse and worse,” the doc said. “We encourage teachers to check the kids and see how they’re doing. Parents need to communicate with the teacher and vice versa, so we can avoid issues for learning.”
