June Newsletter: The Importance of Eye Exams for Kids

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The Importance of Eye Exams for Kids

Regular eye exams are a must for kids. Since vision problems often appear for the first time during childhood, scheduling annual eye exams offers a simple way to protect your child's eyesight.

Good Vision Is Essential for Learning

Your child relies on his or her visual memory to remember spelling words or recognize shapes and letters. If your child's vision is blurry, the information stored in the brain's visual memory center may not be accurate. This can lead to difficulty reading, completing math problems, copying words, or writing clearly. Kids who have poor vision may also become frustrated at school, which can lead to behavioral problems.

School Eye Exams Don't Identify All Vision Issues

Although the eye exams schools conduct are certainly helpful, they may not identify all vision problems. In fact, school vision screenings fail to detect up to 75% of vision issues, according to the American Optometric Association.

School-age children may experience a variety of problems that affect their eyesight, including:

  • Myopia (Nearsightedness). Kids who have myopia see close objects clearly, but objects in the distance look blurry. Myopia can be caused by an eyeball that is too long or a cornea that curves more than normal.
  • Hyperopia (Farsightedness). Farsightedness causes a person to see objects in the distance clearly, while those nearby are blurry. Hyperopia is often caused by eyeballs that are too short.
  • Astigmatism. Astigmatism causes blurry vision both near and far and occurs due to an irregularly curved cornea.
  • Other Vision Problems. A variety of other vision problems can affect your child's eyesight and school performance, including strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), visual processing disorders, focusing problems, and eye teaming or tracking difficulties.

Children May Not Realize That They Need Glasses

Just because your child has never complained about poor vision doesn't mean that he or she can see clearly. After all, it's impossible to tell that you have a vision problem if the world has always looked slightly blurry.

Even young children can develop nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and other vision issues. According to the American Optometric Association's (AOA) 2018 American Eye-Q Survey, around 75% of kids who have myopia received their diagnoses at ages 3 - 12.

Regular eye exams will help you ensure that your son or daughter's vision is crisp and clear. Not sure how often your child needs to visit the optometrist? The AOA recommends these visit guidelines:

  • Once Between 6 - 12 Months
  • Once Between 3 - 5 Years
  • Before Beginning First Grade
  • Every Year Between 6 - 17 Years

Don't Let Your Child's Blurry Vision Go Untreated

Is it time for your child's eye exam? Contact our office to schedule your son or daughter's visit.

Sources:

American Optometric Association: With Childhood Myopia Rates on the Rise, the American Optometric Association Highlights the Importance of Early Intervention Through Annual Eye Exams, 3/1/2019

https://www.aoa.org/about-the-aoa/press-room/press-releases/myopia-rates-on-the-rise?sso=y

UCLA Children's Discovery and Innovation Institute: Impact Analysis of Vision to Learn

https://visiontolearn.org/wp-content/uploads/UCLA-Study-Quantitative-Analysis.pdf

American Optometric Association: Comprehensive Eye Exams

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/eye-exams?sso=y

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Keep an Eye on Your Child’s Vision, 2/24/2023

https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/vision-health-children.html

Contact us to request an appointment today.

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Testimonials

  • We love supporting our local businesses. Dave Nelson is such an asset to our community. He took the extra time needed to be completely thorough with some issues I was having. I love that he looked at my complete health before coming to a conclusion for my needs. We love the customer service from beginning to end. I put complete trust in Lee Ann to pick out some frame choices for me, listening to my wants and needs. She delivered and I am so excited to get them next week. Thank you so much!

    ...
    Show More - C.D.
  • I was extremely pleased with the complete and thorough eye examination I received. Dr. Nelson took a great deal of time explaining his findings so that I understood them. He then laid out a plan for us to follow for the future of my eye health.

    - D.D.
  • I'm impressed with all of the technology. Great service. Thank you!

    - J.O
  • This was the best experience I have had with an eye doctor. I felt like Dr. Nelson actually listened to how my eye sight was affecting my daily routine and properly diagnose my vision correction needs.

    - A.K.
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Nelson for many years and he is absolutely amazing. I am grateful that he uses state-of-the-art tools to measure changes in my eye health. His advice is spot on for caring for my eyes and his prices make it affordable to do so. I highly recommend you schedule your next appointment here

    ...
    Show More - J.B.
  • Exam and discussion of the results were excellent. Dr. Nelson is kind, considerate, and open to any discussion about your eyes. The pictures from the exam were amazing and Dr. Nelson explained everything that was going on with the exam and pictures. Frame and lens selection are outstanding as is the work of the staff in helping to pick out what I wanted. And those sunglasses...oh my...I love them! Great work Dr. Nelson and staff!

    ...
    Show More - T.C.
  • This was the most thorough exam I've ever had and I've had many. Dr. Nelson understood my challenges and I felt confident in his care. Great experience. Thank you

    - L.F.
  • Efficient and courteous service with a sense of belonging to a family. I have had to wear prescription lenses for most of my life. Never, has anyone ever taken the time to explain what happens to our eyes as we age, why and HOW we see floaters (and with the latest technology used in Dr. Nelson's office - to show you these things and so much more.) and other retinal issues if they exist. The latest technology used in Dr. Nelson's office is non-invasive and amazing to literally see the inside of y

    ...
    Show More - P.L.
  • I've seen Dr. Nelson for many years for my eye care before he opened the new practice in Cottage Grove. I appreciate how very thorough he is and how he takes the time to explain any changes in my vision etc. He and his staff are always very kind and friendly and they go the extra mile to help! I liked that Cottage Grove Eye Care was really easy to find...and I like the space and the fact that they have a large selection of cool frames. Would highly recommend it. Nice to have someone you can trus

    ...
    Show More - H.S.
  • I went to Cottage Grove Eye Care for the first time last year and purchased both glasses and contacts. This is the first year that I have consistently worn both the glasses and contacts and didn't experience any issues with either. I always feel much educated about my eye health when I leave in a way that I never was at other eye clinics

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    Show More - E.W.
  • Friendly, professional, very thorough.

    - T.S.

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