Did you know that 1 in 5 Australian school children have never had their eyes tested* and could be at risk of undetected optical problems?
A child’s vision is their window to the world; it helps them learn and understand the people, places and experiences around them. For school aged children, eyesight is particularly important for education and discovery. In fact, over 80% of what’s taught in the classroom is presented visually*! Clear vision is vital in the development of young minds, which is why routine check-ups awareness of defects from a young age is important for parents and guardians to be aware of.
If you’re wondering whether or not your child needs an eye test, let our comprehensive guide to child optical care help:
Problems Can Be Hard to See
If your child is suffering from vision problems, it may be hard for you to identify. As children grow older and their communicative skills improve, they may express discomfort or show signs of poor vision. However, in most cases (and especially if your child has optical issues from a very young age), they may not be aware of the problem themselves and presume their vision as unproblematic.
How often should my child’s eyes be checked?
We suggest regular comprehensive eye exams from as young as six months old, so that any problems are identify early on and a treatment or management plan can be implemented. Children should have their eyes tested at least once every two years.
The Vital Years
Children aged 2-5 are in their vital years of development. This is the age bracket where parents need to be alert for any vision problems. Plus, it’s good to be aware of any pre-existing issues well before your little one heads into schooling.
School-Aged Eyesight
For school-aged children (both primary and high school), reading, writing and using computers are among the daily visual tasks that students partake in daily. Your child’s eyes are constantly in use, and that’s why regular vision tests are vital.
Signs to look for
Some symptoms of potential vision issues in children may be:
Squinting or straining to see better
Complaining of headaches, eye strain and/or tiredness
Frequent eye rubbing
Avoiding activities that require near vision (eg. reading, using a tablet) or distance vision (eg. sports)
This list is not comprehensive and remember that conditions may be asymptomatic. It’s a good idea to get your child’s eye checked irrespective of whether or not they show signs of poor vision.
Zephyr Eye Checks for Children
We take the upmost care in looking after your child’s eyes. Our friendly service provides at-home eye exams, which is particularly great for children who feel most at ease and comfort in a familiar environment. Best of all, we can conduct eye exams for your entire family in the same session, which takes all of the stress out of entertaining siblings. If you’re interested in our service for your family or have any questions, get in touch with us today!
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Zephyr Medical is a bulk-billed mobile optometry clinic, servicing the South-East Queensland and Northern NSW regions. Our team is dedicated to providing patients with comprehensive services to benefit their eye health in the comfort of their home or workplace. Get in touch with us today to book an optometrist appointment that suits your schedule. Book a free appointment here.
*1Lonergan study conducted in April 2014 of 1,006 Australian parents with children aged between 3-10 years.
*2American Optometric Association, School-aged Vision: 6 to 18 Years of Age. www.aoa.org
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