Every 6 months my kids go to the dentist. Every year they get a physical. But did you know that there is one extremely important check-up that many parents miss? October is Eye Health month and the message is clear, your children need regular eye examinations just like they need a medical and dental check-up.
It is amazing that we take better care of our children's teeth than we do their eyes! New research by the Canadian Association of Optometrists found:
It is amazing that we take better care of our children's teeth than we do their eyes! New research by the Canadian Association of Optometrists found:
- 60% of Canadian optometrists detect serious eye and vision issues in their patients 12 years of age and younger.
- Only 4% of parents surveyed would immediately think that difficulties in school could be linked to poor eye sight.
- 98% of optometrists have detected vision problems in children despite parents' claims of 20/20 vision.
My daughter can see thanks to her bifocals!
My girl has had glasses since she was 5. Now at 7.5 she wears bifocals all of the time and even wears prescription sports glasses playing hockey or soccer. Because her lazy eye or Amblyopia was detected early and treated aggressively it will likely rectify itself by the time she is a teen. She is a strong reader and a confident athlete. Because she can SEE.
It is critical to get your children in to see an optometrist as early as 6 months. Many serious eye issues can be detected and treated much more effectively if detected then. It is important to understand that a school vision test or an exam as part of a physical does not replace a visit to the optometrist.
I am so glad we visited the optometrist early and my daughter's issues were identified and treated before it began to affect her learning. Eye Health should be part of your family's overall health regimen.
Thanks to the Canadian Association of Optometrists Eye Health Month for providing the data and sponsoring this important blog series.
It is critical to get your children in to see an optometrist as early as 6 months. Many serious eye issues can be detected and treated much more effectively if detected then. It is important to understand that a school vision test or an exam as part of a physical does not replace a visit to the optometrist.
I am so glad we visited the optometrist early and my daughter's issues were identified and treated before it began to affect her learning. Eye Health should be part of your family's overall health regimen.
Thanks to the Canadian Association of Optometrists Eye Health Month for providing the data and sponsoring this important blog series.
Oh Jen. You know what? I don't think I've seen an eye doctor in a million years - I don't wear glasses (yet) - but you're right: I should make appointments for myself and for my first-grader. It's so silly how this kind of care can get off track. Thanks for the reminder!!
Vital and important information.
Thanks for the reminder Jen.
Cuyler is the only one of my kids who has had a (somewhat) proper eye exam.
Time to make the call.
This is a VERY important issue that is often overlooked. My Nephew where's glasses as well. We were a little late catching it but he is doing great now that he can see properly!
thanks for the reminder Jen. I need to do something about this in October.
PS your daughter is gorgeous
It hasn't occurred to me to take the girls yet.... now I will. Thanks.
My kids go regularly, and because of that, they caught Maddy's farsightedness on the last exam and now she is wearing glasses. The thing is, she was able to focus with effort, so I NEVER would have guessed she needed them. My optometrist told me it happens quite often...children have a strong ability to focus despite any inherent vision problems they have, so issues may not be obvious to a parent or teacher. And I was just like the parents you mention above: when the optometrist said "is she having any problems reading?" I was like, "yes, as a matter of fact she is...[lightbulb]...duh!" Something to keep in mind as a teacher, too!
In most provinces eye exams for kids are covered by provincial health care, so don't put it off any longer!
Great reminder Jen. I've always been pretty anal about going to every type of doctor myself (off today for my annual mole check at the dermatologist!) and I'm planning on the same for Will...his second dentist appt is booked. BUT it hadn't occured to me to get his eyes tested yet...I'm booking it!
I've had glasses since the age of 6. I needed them long before that. If I had my eyes checked earlier, they probably would not be as bad as they are, as eye exercises and having a proper prescription would have helped. There are also academic impacts if a child is not seeing properly. Set them up for success. Just like with any other health routine, it really can't hurt to go regularly.