Eye exams a vital part of back to school prep
By Contributor
It’s time for back to school, parents are busy taking their children shopping for new clothes and picking up school supplies, yet many are missing an essential item on their back to school list – booking an eye exam for their child.
One in four school-age children has a vision problem[1], yet only 14 per cent[2] of Canadian children entering Grade 1 have ever had an eye exam. With 80 per cent[3] of a child’s learning based on vision, it’s imperative to diagnose potential vision problems as early as possible.
“What’s worrying is that most Canadian parents mistakenly believe they would know if their child was having difficulty with their vision,”[4] says Nelson -based BC Doctor of Optometry, Kelly Newhouse. “The truth is that most vision problems have no easy-to-detect symptoms, and children, not knowing any better, don’t realize that they see the world differently than others. You cannot tell if your child has a vision impediment by simply asking them ‘Can you see that?’”
Undiagnosed vision problems can have a significant impact on children’s learning and development. Studies show that 60 per cent[5] of children with reading difficulties actually have an undiagnosed or untreated vision problem.
An additional cause for concern is that vision screenings, often provided at school, have a high rate of error.[6]
As children get back into the school routine, parents must also consider the impact of increased screen time. Canadian children aged 10-16 are getting an average of three times the recommended amount of screen time per day[7]. Because of increased time spent in front of digital devices, children are exposing themselves to potential digital eye strain.
“An eye exam is like an annual checkup for your child’s eyes,” says Dr. Newhouse. “It’s an opportunity to check that their eyes are healthy and their vision is developing properly. It’s also a chance to reinforce healthy eye habits that will serve them well later in life.”
BC Doctors of Optometry recommends children have their first eye exam between six and nine months old, again between two and five years old, and annually after that.
“By ensuring children have healthy visual skills, they’re being provided with the ability to fully experience everything that life and school has to offer,” says Dr. Newhouse.
A referral is not required to see a Doctor of Optometry for either acute or preventative eye care, and eye exams are a benefit of MSP for children in British Columbia up to the age of 18. To find an optometrist near you, visit bc.doctorsofoptometry.ca.
Disclaimer: BC Doctors of Optometry has created this editorial on behalf of Dr. Kelly Newhouse.
[1]National Coalition for Vision Health, 2011
[2]National Coalition for Vision Health, 2011
[3]Joel Zaba, MD, OD, 2001
[4]Leger Marketing, Children’s Eye Health Report, July 2010
[5]National Coalition for Vision Health, 2011
[6]Eye See….Eye Learn (2015). OAO
[7]Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card, 2012
