Vision problems hinder students academically

Millions of students began the school year with vision problems that may inhibit their ability to learn and ultimately affect the rest of their lives, according to the American Optometric Association.

One of the most important steps a parent can take to help ensure their child's ability to learn is to take them for an eye exam. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends comprehensive eye exams especially for children in preschool and kindergarten, a written statement from the association said.

Vision detection and correction in young children may affect much more than their ability to see clearly. Without a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, many children have vision problems that can go undiagnosed and may even be misdiagnosed as a learning disorder, the statement said.

According to Destiny Foulk, a pediatric specialist at the Eye Center of Fort Scott, 624 S. National Ave., children should receive an eye exam at a young age in order to help prevent possible future vision problems.

"An early comprehensive eye exam evaluates a child's vision, eye teaming skills and tracking skills as well as eye health," Foulk said. "It's a good way to avoid problems down the road."

Children entering preschool or kindergarten benefit the most from comprehensive eye exams though they rarely receive them early enough. Currently, only 14 percent of children under 6 years of age have received a comprehensive eye exam, according to the U.S. Center for Health Statistics. Vision impairments in children this young can be detected through an eye exam and are typically easy to correct immediately afterwards, the AOA statement said.

An eye exam will help correct common vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, as well as more serious conditions such as amblyopia, more commonly known as lazy eye. Amblyopia affects about 5 percent of children nationwide. The condition is completely treatable and preventable if detected within the first few years of life. The lack of early eye care has allowed amblyopia to escape detection, and it remains the leading cause of blindness in American citizens under 40 years of age, the statement said.

Foulk added that it is important for parents to have their child receive an early eye exam because many young children with vision problems may not even realize it.

"Children may not recognize that they have a vision problem, particularly children who are too young to know the alphabet or even to speak," she said. "However, there are proven methods for full eye exams on young children that can be done efficiently and effectively."

The back-to-school season is an ideal time for parents to take their child to an eye doctor for a comprehensive exam, particularly since much of what children learn is obtained through the eyes, the AOA statement said.

To schedule an eye exam, call one of the optometrists listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book.