Why Do Your Child’s Eyes Deserve an Eye Exam This Autumn?

September brings a return to school, new routines and a fresh start to the academic year. It is also a good time to think about your child’s vision and eye health.

Children rely on their vision for almost everything they do at school, from reading and writing to seeing the board, using digital devices and taking part in sports and other activities. If a child has an uncorrected visual problem, they may find some of these tasks more difficult or tiring without necessarily realising that their vision is the cause.

A routine eye exam can help identify changes in vision, check the health of the eyes and make sure your child’s vision is being monitored as they grow.

Why Are Eye Exams So Important for Children?

Good vision is an important part of a child’s development, learning and everyday life. Throughout the school day, children need to see clearly at different distances, focus comfortably on close work and use both eyes together effectively.

However, children don’t always know when their vision could be clearer. They may assume that the way they see is normal because they have never experienced anything different.

For example, a child with short sightedness may not realise that distant objects should appear clearer. Other difficulties involving focusing, eye movements or binocular vision can also be difficult for a child to recognise.

Children can become accustomed to visual difficulties and may adapt without complaining about their vision. This is why regular eye exams are important, even when there does not appear to be any problems.

Could Your Child be Having Difficulty With Their Vision?

Visual difficulties are not always obvious, but there are some signs parents can look out for.

You may notice your child:

• Losing their place when reading
• Avoiding reading or other visually demanding activities
• Struggling to copy information from the board
• Struggling when looking into the distance
• Holding books, tablets or other objects unusually close
• Experiencing headaches or tired eyes, particularly after school or homework
• Finding reading or close work tiring
• Having difficulty maintaining concentration during visually demanding tasks

These signs can have many different causes and do not necessarily indicate a problem with your child’s eyes. However, if you have noticed a change or have concerns about their vision, an eye exam can help establish whether their eyesight could be contributing.

Why Is Autumn a Great Time to Get Your Kids' Vision Checked?

There is no need to wait until September for your child to have an eye exam, but the start of a new school year can be a useful reminder to check that their vision is up to date.

Children’s eyes and visual systems continue to develop throughout childhood, and their prescription can change as they grow. Regular exams allow an optometrist to monitor changes in vision and ocular health over time.

A new school year also means a return to regular reading, writing, close work and classroom activities. If your child has an existing visual difficulty, these demands may make symptoms such as eye strain or visual fatigue more noticeable.

What Happens During a Child’s Eye Exam

A children’s eye exam involves much more than checking whether they can read letters on a chart.

The tests are adapted to the child’s age and individual needs and may include assessment of:

• Visual acuity
• Refractive error
• Eye movements
• Focusing ability
• Binocular vision and eye coordination
• The health of the eyes

Younger children do not need to be able to read letters to have their vision assessed. Your optometrist can use age appropriate techniques to assess their vision and eye health.

If glasses, further investigation or monitoring are recommended, your optometrist will explain the findings and discuss the appropriate next steps with you.

A Simple Step for a Smoother Start to the School Year

As you prepare for the new school year, an eye exam is a simple way to look after your child’s eye health and make sure their vision is being properly monitored.

At Derbyshire Opticians, we understand that every child is different. Our experienced team takes the time to make eye exams comfortable and engaging, helping children and parents at ease throughout their visit.

If your child has not had an eye exam recently, or you have noticed changes in the way they read, concentrate or perform at school, book an eye exam online or call your local practice.