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Eleven Signs Your Child May Have A Vision Problem
- Consistently sitting too close to the TV or holding a book too close
- Losing his or her place while reading or using a finger to guide his eyes when reading
- Squinting or tilting the head to see better
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Sensitivity to light and/or excessive tearing
- Closing one eye to read, watch TV or see better
- Avoiding activities which require near vision, such as reading or homework, or distance vision, such as participating in sports or other recreational activities
- Complaining of headaches or tired eyes, especially later in the school day
- Avoiding using a computer, because it "hurts his eyes"
- Easily distracted or difficultly paying attention
- Trouble comprehending or retaining school lessons
Does Your Medical Insurance Plan Cover A Pediatric Eye Exam?
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) provides children with health insurance coverage that includes direct access to their local eye doctor for a comprehensive eye examination, follow-up care, treatment, and, if needed, eyeglasses or contact lenses. Comprehensive pediatric vision is one of 10 essential benefits authorized by the ACA as a required benefit for all health plans sold in the new state-based health insurance marketplace. Check your medical insurance plan for coverage details.
Vision Is Critical to Learning
80% of what a child learns in school is presented visually. It stands to reason then, that good vision and learning go hand-in-hand. Yet studies show that only 31% of children between the ages of 6 and 16 have an annual eye exam and 70% of children under 6 years have never had an eye exam.
As a result, 20 million children - about 1 in 4 go back to school with an undiagnosed vision problem that may interfere with learning and contribute to disciplinary problems.
Vision "screenings" performed by a school nurse or pediatrician are helpful, but may miss many problems. According to the National Institutes of Health, vision screening methods detected only 40 - 65% of children's vision disorders.
The answer is a comprehensive eye exam by your family eye doctor at Vision Source. Even if your child has passed a vision screening, a comprehensive eye exam can detect diseases or other conditions.
Vision is critical to learning. Make sure your child is ready to learn by scheduling an eye exam with your neighborhood Houston Vision Source doctor today.
When Should Your Child Have An Eye Exam?
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that infants have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age. After that, children should receive follow up eye exams at 3 years of age, and around age 5 or 6, just prior to entering kindergarten or the first grade. The AOA further recommends an eye exam for school-aged children every two years if no vision correction is required. Children who need vision correction - eyeglasses or contact lenses - should have an annual exam or as recommended by their eye doctor.
For more information or to schedule a comprehensive eye exam, call us today.