Back-to-school time sneaks up quickly, and while you’re getting your child’s backpack, pencils, and notebooks ready, don’t overlook their eye health.

As your child grows, their eyes are growing too.

During school years focussing on academic work such as reading, writing, and screen usage can cause eye strain and abrupt changes in vision.

Did you know that 80% of learning is visual? Poor eyesight can sneak in and mess with it and make school tough, leading to frustration, tiredness, and even falling behind academically.

Your child might face problems trying to read their favorite book or see what the teacher writes on the board. 

With 1 in 5 children in Australia having undiagnosed vision issues, skipping that pre-school eye check could lead to problems that are totally avoidable with the right care.

So, while you’re ticking off that back-to-school checklist, remember to add an eye checkup, because clear vision means a bright school year ahead.

 

Vision Problems In School-going Children:

 

• Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Is your child having trouble seeing distant objects or the whiteboard in the classroom?

This may indicate myopia, a condition that affects many school-age children. Children with this syndrome see everything clearly up close, but they have trouble seeing distant objects, making them appear blurry..

About one in four children in Australia suffer from myopia, and by 2050, almost half of the world’s population could be affected by it.

Myopia can worsen as children grow, hence having your child’s vision examined at an early age is crucial to helping them keep on top of their academics and feel confident in their daily activities.

 

• Farsightedness (Hyperopia) 

If you’ve got a child who’s always stretching their arm to read their book, they might be among the 10-20% of kids in Australia with hyperopia

Imagine trying to finish homework but all the letters on the page look blurry. This is a common issue affecting a large number of school-age children and is often caused by a medical condition called hyperopia, or farsightedness

It’s like being able to clearly see someone across the playground, but finding it difficult to concentrate on the book sitting on your lap.

It can make close-up tasks like reading, writing, or even coloring feel exhausting. Because of this, some kids might shy away from these activities, which can make it harder for them to keep up with their schoolwork and affect them academically. It can also lead to eye strain and headaches.

 

•  Digital Eye Strain 

In today’s screen-filled world, digital eye strain is becoming more and more common especially for children and teens who are glued to screens, spending an average of 9 hours a day on their digital devices.

Millions of children experience digital eye strain, making their eyes feel super tired, followed by headaches, and blurry vision. 

Whether it’s for school, gaming, or scrolling through social media, focusing on a screen reduces blinking by 60%, which can cause dry and irritated eyes. Furthermore, night time use of these devices is linked to sleep problems because of blue light.

To protect your child’s eyes from digital strain:

• Have them keep screens about 20-40 inches away and slightly below eye level. 
• Encourage them to follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 
• Most importantly, don’t forget to book regular eye checkups.

 

• Astigmatism

Did you know that 15-20% of Australian children suffer from astigmatism?

When the cornea or lens is irregularly shaped, astigmatism results, causing objects to appear out of focus. 

It makes it difficult for children to see clearly at all distances, both near and far away. Their eyes seem to constantly struggle to keep up with what is in front of them.

This means that everything, from reading a book to seeing the board in class, can be a bit blurry for kids.

Due to this, they might find it tough to concentrate on their schoolwork, leading to eye strain, headaches, and a lot of frustration.

 

Experience the Eyes&Vision Difference:

 

It can be hard for kids to tell you if they’re having vision issues because they might not realize what they’re seeing isn’t normal, thinking everyone sees like they do. 

If you’re worried about your child’s vision or notice any of the following signs, it’s time to schedule an eye exam:

• Sore, tired, or watery eyes
• Frequent blinking or rubbing
• Tilting their head or covering one eye
• Difficulty reading or holding books too close
• Struggling to see the whiteboard at school
• Headaches or blurry vision
• Avoiding close-up tasks or sports
• Sitting too close to the TV

At Eyes&Vision, we make eye exams fun and stress-free for kids. 

Our skilled optometrists create a comfortable, fun, and child-centered environment, with the use of colorful pictures or playing interactive games to check their vision.

We provide a thorough eye exam that includes using age-appropriate tools and techniques to identify any hazards related to their vision and ensure they walk out with healthy eyes.

We’ll review their medical history, perform detailed tests, and discuss the results to ensure their eyes are in great shape. 

Your child will feel relaxed in our caring hands, while we assess their eye health and visual development.

Get your child back to school ready with a visit to Eyes&Vision. Book an appointment today and give them the optometric care they deserve.