It’s that time of year again and our kids are heading back to school. Whether your child is heading back to a familiar classroom or starting their very first year, we have one thing to add to your back-to-school checklist: a comprehensive eye exam.
Vision and learning and interdependent, with experts estimating that 80% of learning comes through a child’s eyes. “Healthy vision is critical to learning and excelling in school” confirms Dr. Pamela Lowe. A comprehensive eye exam can detect problems like astigmatism, farsightedness, and eye coordination – issues that directly relate to a child’s experience in the classroom.
The American Optometric Association reports that 64% of teachers saw a marked improvement in a child’s academic performance or behavior after the child was diagnosed and treated for a vision problem. If your child experiences any of the following, you should consult with an Olympia optometrist:
- Squints when reading or watching television
- Holds books or papers close to face
- Experiences headaches
- Rubs eyes
- Loses place while reading
- Avoids close work
- Consistently performs below potential
- Struggles to complete work
- Has behavioral problems
- Turns or tilts head when looking at things
So when you’re buying pencils and paper, remember to bring your loved ones in to our downtown Olympia eye care center for their comprehensive eye exams. Our friendly optometrist, Dr. Douglas Jeske, has treated hundreds of children and families and would love to answers any questions you may have about your child’s eye health.