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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Thomas P. Finley, OD
Good Vision, Good Grades, Good Sense
Dr. Finley's Family Eyecare
. http://visionsource-drfinley.net/

Good Vision, Good Grades, Good Sense

Most of the information a child receives in school is through their sense of vision. Good vision and proper vision care will help your child read and learn better. Make back to school eye examinations a high priority preparing your child for school.

Vision problems are surprisingly common in children. The National Society to Prevent Blindness reports as high as one-in-four school aged children have some form of vision problem.

Computers and smart-boards are commonly used in today's classrooms, and becoming increasingly popular with “bring your own device” to school. As technology continues evolving, children will use electronic devices more and at an earlier age.

According to the American Optometric Association's 2013 American Eye-Q survey

85% of parents indicate that their children use an electric device up to four hours per day

41% of children have their own smart phone or tablet

32% use both e-books and textbooks at school

66% of children use a computer or tablet to do homework or study.

Increased use of electronic devices puts added strain on a child's eyes and visual system. Vision fatigue and discomfort can result and interfere with the ability to see, focus, comprehend, and learn. Prolonged screen time can lead to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), a condition commonly thought to mainly affect adults performing computer work all day. Symptoms of CVS include blurred or double vision, loss of focus, eyestrain, and headaches.

The American Optometric Association urges students to rest their eyes by following the 20-20-20 rule. When using technology or doing near work, take a 20 second break every 20 minutes and view something 20 feet away.

Good vision involves many different vision skills working together enabling your child to see clearly and understand what they see. It is much more than simply being able to see a 20/20 acuity line far away. Just because your child passed a 30 second eye screening in school or at the pediatrician's office does not mean they have good vision and are prepared for all of the eye strain they'll be subjected to. Make certain they have a comprehensive eye examination.

A disruption of any visual skills can seriously affect a child's reading and learning ability. Parents must realize that these problems can exist even if their child appears to be seeing well. Children can be good students and athletes, but still be victims of poor visual skills. If their eyes do not work properly, it becomes increasingly difficult year after year to maintain the required level and degree of reading and comprehension skills. Most children are not aware they are having any difficulty and assume everyone else sees the same way.

Need For Eye Exams

Just as your child's physical size changes dramatically year after year, so can their vision. Yearly comprehensive eye examinations are the only way to ensure your child's eyes and vision is functioning properly and efficiently. Beginning in 2014, pediatric vision care will be one of the Affordable Care Act's Essential Health Benefits.

Your care and concern for your child's vision will enrich their future. A thorough eye examination will help diagnose and correct vision problems and give your child the visual tools needed to learn.

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