When the new school year is approaching, parents and children are out gathering all of the supplies that they need to have a successful year. Notebooks, pencils, calculators, rulers, backpacks and art supplies. The backpacks get loaded up with supplies and a healthy lunch and the kids are sent off to the classroom where they can expand their minds.
However, there is another step that needs to be taken each year to ensure the kids are prepared to learn. They need to see the Optometrist for an eye exam. Since 80% of a child’s learning is vision based, vision problems affect learning and development, preventing children from reaching their full potential.
You may think that your child will let you know if he/she is having trouble seeing, but children don’t realize that their vision is impaired if it has always been that way. I remember getting my first pair of glasses when I was in the sixth grade. I was amazed at the detail in the leaves on the trees and at the number of stars in the sky. I had no idea how much I was missing before!
Since my husband and I wear glasses, I watched for possible issues with my children’s ability to see. I didn’t recognize any issues, so I was surprised when my daughter ended up needing her first pair of glasses a few years ago. Unfortunately, most vision problems have no symptoms that are easy to detect, so even vigilant parents can not identify problems. Only an optometrist can accurately detect problems with your child’s sight.
If you haven’t had your children to their optometrist yet this year, now is the time to do it. If you have kids heading into junior kindergarten, check out Eye See…Eye Learn®- a program that provides eye exams and free glasses for JK children through an Ontario Association Optometrist member. Book an appointment with your local optometrist today. If you don’t have one, click here.
This post is sponsored by The Ontario Association of Optometrists. The opinions and language are all my own.
Leave a Reply