MAKE EYE EXAMS PART OF THE BACK TO SCHOOL ROUTINE The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends a visit to the optometrist before heading back to the classroom. Healthy vision is an important part of the learning process and success in school. Reading, writing, and computer work are among the visual skills that students are required to perform daily, but studies show that 86% of children start school without ever having an eye examination Eighty percent of learning comes through a child's eyes. There is a strong correlation between vision and learning, yet 88% of Americans don't realize that I in 4 students has a visual impairment A child's vision may change frequently as they grow and regular eye and vision care is essential to classroom success Most parents are not including eye exams as part of the back to-school routine. An exam before school starts, or or 2 months into the new school year, will pick up visual and visual perceptual difficulties the child may be having before it affects their school work. Fifty-eight percent of parents don't take their child for an eye exam until age 3 or older. The AOA recommends that children have their first assessment at age 6 months and then comprehensive eye exams beginning at age 3. Just like going to the dentist every 6 months, while in school, a child should have an eye exam with an optometrist every 6 months to monitor changes that occur with growth An exam is needed if a child loses his place while reading, avoids close work, rubs his eyes, has headaches, turns or tilts his head, reverses letters/numbers/words, leaves out or confuses small words when reading, performs below potential, struggles to complete homework, squints while reading or watching TV, has behavioral problems, has a close working distance, and has poor handwriting (is sloppy, spacing is off, etc.) Sixty percent of problem learners actually suffer from undetected vision problems and in many cases, have been inaccurately diagnosed with ADD or ADHD The earlier a vision problem is detected and treated, the more likely the treatment will be successful. Keep in mind, a school vision screening, while helpful, is NOT A SUBSTITUTE for a comprehensive eye exam. Don't Delay! Make an appointment for your child today! DuBois Vision Clinic 105 Beaver Drive, Suite 100 Dr. Wendy Strouse Watt, Optometrist 814-371-2020