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Your child’s eyes — an important tool for learning

As learning becomes more digital, taking care of kids' eyes is important than ever.

As classroom learning becomes more digital, taking care of kids’ eyes is more important than ever.

With back-to-school time approaching, we want to remind patients how important healthy eyes are to learning.

According to experts, 80 percent of what students are taught is presented visually, which makes healthy eyes one of the most important tools for the classroom. But that’s not the only reason to stay on top of regular check-ups and eye care.

  • According to the American Optometric Association, more than 41 percent of parents report their children use digital devices more than three hours a day. With increasing use of technology at school and home, it’s important to stay on top of issues related to digital eye strain.
  • One in four children has a vision problem that could affect learning if left untreated, per Prevent Blindness America. A comprehensive eye exam is the best way to detect, prevent and treat vision problems.
  • The Vision Council reports that eye care providers are seeing an increase in myopia among children. Research points to the rise in near-vision activities like using digital devices and a decline in time spent outdoors in natural light as possible contributors.

Unfortunately, many parents are unaware of the importance of annual eye exams for kids. More than half (60%) don’t feel an eye exam is an essential part of a child’s healthy checkup schedule, based on a recent survey of more than 1,000 parents. You can find more information on eye health for children here.

The State of Illinois requires that all students entering a public, private or parochial schools, starting at kindergarten, have their eyes examined by a licensed optometrist. Even if your child is returning to the same school, annual exams are recommended for keeping their eyes healthy.

Virtual care is no substitute for a face-to-face exam

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Face-to-face care is the best way to keep your eyes healthy.

We’ve talked about digital eye strain and other eye health risks associated with technology over the past few months. Another concern with the online world is the increasing number of sites and apps that promise prescription eyeglass fitting and even exams.

An annual comprehensive eye exam performed by an eye care professional, such as one of our doctors at Northcenter Eye Care, is the single most effective way to make sure that you have the information and care you need to keep your eyes healthy and to make sure that your vision correction needs are met.

Virtual exams are very limited in scope, offering only vision correction to individuals who fit a narrow profile. Such exams do not assess any eye health or medical concerns, let alone provide consultation for fitting, adjustments, etc. In addition, many of the services that are part of a comprehensive exam are additional costs in a virtual one. The accuracy of this type of exam is highly questionable too.

March is Save Your Vision Month, and this is a great time to make sure you have your yearly appointment on the calendar. You can book with us online, by phone and even email. Keep in mind that we provide care for the whole family, including children as young as four.