As parents we want only the best for our children. We enroll them in extra curricular activities. We help them with their homework. We give them cuddles when they are sad and take them to the Doctor when they are unwell. But are we aware of issues with their vision?
I was born with a lazy eye. Surgery and patches at an early age, as well as corrective eyewear for the rest of my life means I have vision in both of my eyes. My condition was visibly obvious but not all conditions around a child’s vision are that noticeable. We rely on our children to tell us when they aren’t well or when they are struggling but if their eyesight is the same as it has always been, how are they to determine if it needs correcting? Everything appears normal. In fact a survey conducted by the Canadian Association of Optometrists indicates that 61 percent of parents believe they would know if their child had vision problems yet 1 in 4 school-age children have difficulty with their eyesight.
If your child suffers from headaches, uses a finger to maintain a place while reading, or seems to be performing below their potential, these symptoms along with others may be a sign that your child has an issue with their vision.
During an eye exam a Doctor of Optometry has the tools and knowledge to assess the quality of your child’s eyesight, which is more than just having 20/20 vision. It is recommended that infants have their eyes examined between six and nine months of age and then again between the ages of two and five. Just like you schedule healthy visits for your children at the doctor’s office, annual eye exams should also be planned. As our children grow, their vision can change and detecting issues early is best.
We rely on our eyes for so much. Most of the learning our kids do in school is taken in through the eyes. Learning new things should be exciting and interesting but for those children who are having difficulty seeing the words, learning can be a struggle and lead to frustration. A visit with a Doctor of Optometry can help you determine if the struggle is based on the material that just requires more help or if it’s because of an issue with vision that may require glasses.
Should your child’s eye exam indicate he or she requires corrective lenses than there’s no one better than a Doctor of Optometry to help find the perfect pair. Along with having the right prescription, finding frames that fit and are comfortable to wear are key in ensuring your child wears their glasses. Kids won’t benefit from corrective eyewear if they avoid wearing them.
So how is your child’s vision? Along with being the month filled with pumpkins, Halloween costumes and candy, October is also Children’s Vision Month. Why not schedule an appointment with your local Doctor of Optometry to check your child’s vision.
To find a Doctor of Optometry in your province as well as other eye care tips visit http://doctorsofoptometry.ca/. You can also connect with the Doctors of Optometry on Facebook
This post is sponsored by Doctors of Optometry Canada