Back-to-School
Eye Exams Essential to Helping Children Succeed in the Classroom
Dr. Mautino encourages
Making Vision Exams an Annual Back-to-School Tradition
As the new school year approaches,
parents are ensuring their children are prepared with an annual physical,
immunizations and back-to-school shopping, but an annual eye exam should also
be part of a student’s back-to-school routine. According to the American
Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2015 American Eye-Q® survey, 89 percent of those
surveyed incorrectly believe simple vision screenings, such as those
occasionally offered at schools, are an effective way to detect vision
problems. However, these screenings cannot detect potentially serious eye and
overall health issues in children.
From ages 6 to 18, a child’s vision can
change frequently or unexpectedly which can lead to behavioral and attention
issues in the classroom. This year, Dr. Mautino encourages parents to start the
school year on a healthy note by making comprehensive eye exams a priority and
maintaining proper eye health throughout the year.
Dr. Mautino reminds parents to keep
these four eye health and safety tips in mind:
- Know
that pediatric eye exams are most likely covered by your health insurance
plan: Most health insurance plans,
including those sold in health insurance marketplaces, cover comprehensive
pediatric eye exams. In fact, 54 percent of people were unaware that the
Affordable Care Act now defines a comprehensive eye exam as an essential
benefit and cover this expense, including glasses for children, annually,
according to the AOA’s 2015 American Eye-Q® survey.
2. Look
for indicators of eye health issues: Common signals that your
child may be experiencing a vision problem include covering one eye, holding
reading materials close to the face, a short attention span and complaining of
headaches or other discomfort.
3. Prevent
eye strain by monitoring use of digital devices: Increased
exposure to electronic devices in and out of the classroom can cause digital
eye strain, including burning or itchy eyes, headaches, blurred vision and
exhaustion. The AOA recommends following the 20-20-20 rule (taking a 20-second
break, every 20 minutes and looking at something 20 feet away), blinking
frequently and adjusting your child’s computer screen to prevent glare can
prevent discomfort.
4. Wear
proper eye protection for sports and outdoor activities: Well-fitting,
protective eye wear and quality sunglasses that offer UV protection are also
critical to maintaining key visual skills for sports and preventing injuries.
“One in four children has an
undiagnosed vision problem because changes in their eyesight go unrecognized by
both the child and their parents or guardian, said Tyler Mautino, OD. “Making a
comprehensive eye exam a priority this year is one of the single most important
investments you can make in your child’s education and overall health. While
schools typically offer basic vision screenings, these often create a false
sense of security by missing significant problems. A comprehensive eye exam is
the only way to properly diagnose and treat serious eye health issues.”
To learn more, please visit our
website, eyecarewarren.com
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About
the American Eye-Q® survey:
The tenth annual AOA American Eye-Q® survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From February 19—March 4, 2015, PSB conducted 1,000 online interviews among Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of the U.S. general population. (Margin of error is plus or minus 3.10 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.)
The tenth annual AOA American Eye-Q® survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From February 19—March 4, 2015, PSB conducted 1,000 online interviews among Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of the U.S. general population. (Margin of error is plus or minus 3.10 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.)
