**SPONSORED CONTENT BY CLARKSVILLE EYE CLINIC**
Most parents know the importance of regular dental exams to ensure the health of their children’s teeth. Unfortunately, we often overlook one of the keys to normal development and learning: children’s eyes.
Experts estimate that 5-10% of pre-schoolers and 25% of school-aged children have some kind of vision problem. Most of these problems go undiagnosed and often cause grades to suffer. This can be a major hindrance to academic success because as much as 80% of the learning a child does occurs through his or her eyes. A comprehensive eye exam from an eye care professional is able to detect and develop plans to correct these conditions. The American Optometric Association recommends children have their eyes examined at the age of 6 months, at 3 years of age, just before first grade and every two years thereafter for children with normal vision.
Drs. Matthew Drew and Alicia Byers of Clarksville Eye Clinic have seen children with failing grades identified as having vision problems turn into honor roll students after having their vision corrected.
A child’s brain learns how to use the eyes for vision just like it learns how to use other muscles for movement. The longer a vision problem goes untreated, the harder it is for the brain to develop new connections and see clearly. Many vision problems, especially lazy eyes, are best treated when caught early while the vision system is still developing. Treatment is less successful and more involved if a child is not treated before age 7.
Often, when children have learning difficulties they exhibit hyper or distracted behaviors and may be labeled as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, untreated vision problems can mimic some of these same symptoms which can lead children being mislabeled with a disorder when they really may only need glasses. Other signs that may indicate a vision problem can include: eye rubbing, avoiding reading, frequent headaches, covering an eye, tilting the head, holding reading material close, and even losing place when reading.
A comprehensive eye exam is more thorough than the screenings performed at schools. Comprehensive eye exams for children of all ages do more than just screen for the extreme cases. They check for amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye turns), focusing ability, depth perception, color vision, and overall ocular health. Thorough vision testing at an early age is vital to be sure children have the visual abilities they need to perform well in school. Do not hesitate to have your child seen early to avoid potential problems with their vision.