From the classroom to the sports field and beyond, good vision is crucial for kids to be successful. That makes Fall the perfect time to check-in on your child’s vision, according to Dr. Artis Beatty, OD. “Vision supports many everyday school activities, including reading, writing, using screens and seeing the board,” notes Dr. Beatty.
Below, Dr. Beatty, who serves as Chief Medical Officer at MyEyeDr., shares why you should add an appointment with a doctor of optometry to your to-do list—even if you already have your pediatrician appointment on the books.
Can you share a bit more about why vision is so crucial for school—and for sports?
If a child isn’t seeing clearly, they may squint, lose their place while reading, sit closer to screens or complain of headaches or eye strain.
Vision is important in sports, too. Depth perception, peripheral vision and visual tracking help kids follow moving objects and judge distance, whether they’re catching a ball or playing soccer.
When should children be screened—and why may a school or pediatrician screening not be enough?
Vision screening should begin in early childhood and continue regularly as children grow. School and pediatrician screenings are useful for identifying potential problems, but they aren’t the same as a comprehensive eye exam.
A comprehensive exam can assess visual acuity, whether a prescription is needed, how the eyes work together and eye health.
If a child doesn’t pass a screening, has vision-related symptoms or risk factors, or a parent notices a change in how they’re seeing or functioning, they should be evaluated by an eye care professional.
At MyEyeDr., local, best-in-class clinicians use the latest technology to help your family enjoy good vision and eye health.
Why is letting kids choose their own frames important?
Glasses only work when kids wear them. Once you’ve narrowed the choices to frames that fit properly and work with the prescription, letting a child help choose the style can give them a sense of ownership and confidence in wearing their glasses.
MyEyeDr. has dedicated experts ready to help kids find the perfect fit and style from a wide variety of brands kids love, including tween and teen favorites like Ray-Ban.
At what age can a child get contact lenses?
There isn’t one age that’s right for every child. Readiness depends on whether the child can safely insert, remove and care for their lenses and follow instructions consistently.
Contacts can be particularly useful for sports and other activities. Because contact lenses are medical devices, they should always be properly prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional.
What else should parents know before school starts?
Don’t rely on your child to tell you their vision has changed—they may not notice. Instead, watch for signs such as squinting, frequent eye rubbing, headaches, holding books or devices very close, covering one eye or difficulty seeing at a distance.
Back-to-school is a good time to make sure vision screening is up to date and address any concerns before they begin affecting a child’s day.
With over 1,000 neighborhood locations in 29 states and Washington, D.C., MyEyeDr. makes checking off a vision check-up easier than ever. They even accept all major insurances and work closely with parents to process any paperwork. Go to MyEyeDr.com to schedule an appointment near you.
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