Back to School with Healthy Eyes: What Every Parent Needs to Know
August is both Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month and National Eye Exam Month, making it the perfect time to focus on your child’s vision as the school year begins. Clear, healthy eyesight is essential for learning, reading, sports, and everyday activities—and yet, many vision problems in kids go undetected.
Signs Your Child May Have Vision Problems
Keep an eye out for these common signs that a child may be struggling with their eyesight:
- Squinting or tilting the head to see better
- Covering one eye while reading or watching TV
- Sitting too close to screens or books
- Complaints of headaches or eye strain
- Trouble with coordination or frequent bumping into things
- Why Comprehensive Eye Exams Matter
School screenings are helpful but limited. A comprehensive eye exam checks much more than just whether your child can read the eye chart. It evaluates eye alignment, focusing ability, depth perception, and overall eye health—catching issues early before they affect learning.
Protecting Young Eyes
Kids are active, curious, and sometimes accident-prone. Protective eyewear is a must for sports and playtime, especially for activities like baseball, basketball, or riding bikes. Choosing impact-resistant lenses or goggles can prevent serious injuries.
Managing Screen Time
Between tablets, phones, and computers, digital eye strain is becoming more common in kids. Encourage the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Breaks, good lighting, and screen-free downtime all help protect vision.
Don’t Forget Sun Protection
Children’s eyes are especially sensitive to UV rays. A good pair of sunglasses and a hat go a long way toward protecting their vision for years to come.
The best way to protect your child’s eyesight is with a yearly eye exam. Schedule your back-to-school appointment now and give them a clear start to the year!
