Back To School: Why Eye Tests Are An Essential

The new backpacks and pencil cases have been carefully selected, uniforms have been acquired and the excitement for another school year is building.

Before the first bell rings, there is one crucial back-to-school preparation that many parents may overlook: an eye examination.

School learning is traditionally delivered in visual mediums, meaning difficulty seeing at far, near or both distances can have a massive impact on how your child is learning and processing information.

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How Poor Vision Can Impact Your Child’s Learning

Difficulty Reading

Blurry text and images can mean your child’s brain isn’t receiving a complete or distinct picture and needs to work overtime to fill in missing details; this can distract from the meaning of the lesson itself and make absorbing new information particularly difficult. Blurring can lead to the misconception of letters and numbers that play a pivotal role in their learning.

Headaches and Eye Strain

Concentrating on unclear visuals for long periods of time can cause fatigue and headaches, hindering the ability to focus and actively participate in lessons.

Reduced Participation

Some students with undiagnosed vision problems avoid or apply less of their efforts to activities such as reading aloud or participating in sports due to the fear of embarrassment or difficulty seeing clearly.?

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Benefits Of Back To School Eye Exams

Early detection of vision problems

A comprehensive eye examination can identify issues like short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and lazy eye (amblyopia). Early diagnosis and vision correction treatment are critical for optimal visual development and future health & wellbeing.

Improved Learning?

With clear vision, students can focus more easily on reading materials, using computers or tablet devices, the whiteboard and their classmates' facial expressions. This leads to better comprehension, increased engagement, and a more positive learning experience.

Enhanced confidence

Seeing clearly helps boost a child's confidence in the classroom. They can actively participate in activities, read comfortably and excel in their studies without visual limitations.?

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Clinical Services Director Stephen Hannan says:

To give our children the best opportunity it is imperative that they have the best possible vision. This can be achieved through advice and guidance provided by an optometrist providing an eye examination. We live in an era where there is an explosion of myopia amongst the younger generations – it is imperative this and other conditions are diagnosed at the earliest opportunity.?

For children under the age of 16, eye examinations are provided on a fully funded basis by the NHS. Ensure you and your child take advantage of an eye examination. Not only does it support the provision of best vision, it also allows for a full eye health check to be undertaken, which can lead to the diagnosis of eye and general health matters that benefit from immediate attention.

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Don't Let Blurry Vision Hold Your Child Back

School is a time for growth, exploration and learning. Healthy eyesight plays a crucial role in a child’s comprehension and ability to thrive in an educational environment.?

As children grow, they face many challenges—poor vision shouldn't be one of them. Free NHS eye tests are available for all children under 16 and those under 19 in full-time education. Changes in vision can occur throughout childhood, and regular check-ups ensure your child maintains clear vision and optimal learning.

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Optical Express today! Our friendly and experienced team will ensure your child has the clear vision they need for a successful school year.