5 Reasons for Kids’ Eye Exams

The joys of parenthood are the greatest. You spend quality time together with your little one, explore new stuff, celebrate milestones, and create lasting memories. One thing that can slip under the radar is vision health. Your child’s eyes deserve the best. They play an extraordinary role in your kid’s daily life.

Healthy vision helps kids connect with the world around them. Relying only on school screenings is not enough in the long run. The Maple Grove Eye Doctors team can assure that experienced optometric care can change a child’s eye health trajectory. If you haven’t already scheduled a comprehensive eye evaluation for your kid, now is the right time to do so. Here are five reasons for kids’ eye exams:

1. Prevents Long-Term Vision Issues

Many parents who see us have a seemingly valid concern: “When there are school screenings, why see an optometrist?” It’s important to note that vision screenings at school are important! They help keep a check on your child’s eye health, but are often NOT equivalent to a comprehensive eye exam.

Basic screenings do not provide the whole story on your child’s vision. Many vision issues can go undetected. The scope of these tests is limited, as these are not designed to dig deeper. Your child could pass this test and have 20/20 vision, yet they may be living with an underlying eye condition.

This is where seeing an optometrist becomes essential. Optometrists evaluate numerous markers, including focusing, tracking, binocular coordination, depth perception, and more. Parents are sometimes surprised to know that their child has been struggling with vision-related challenges, and they were not even aware of the situation. These comprehensive tests prevent both short- and long-term vision issues and save kids from what sometimes could be irreversible vision impairment.

2. Reduces Digital Eye Strain

With increasing reliance on online studying and the use of digital devices, digital strain is becoming widespread. More than 25% of kids in the age group of 6 to 18 experience the signs of computer vision syndrome (CVS), with excessive tearing being the most common symptom. The progression of myopia is also exacerbated by excessive screen time.

Digital eye strain is not just an adult issue. It is now also affecting kids. Blurry vision, headaches, eye pain, focusing problems, dry eyes, and other associated symptoms can lead to more serious issues. Regular eye exams are the best way to assess how smartphones, tablets, and computers are affecting your kid’s eyes. A optometrist can also suggest necessary adjustments so there is less toll of digital devices on these young eyes.

3. Enhances Learning Abilities

More than 80% of your child’s learning and development depends on how well they can see. Reading, writing, physical activities, and many other tasks demand a healthy vision. Seeing well translates to better learning.

If your child struggles with undiagnosed vision issues, it will likely impact their academic performance. It can also be assumed as a behavioral problem, whereas the root cause remains undetected because parents often rely on basic school screenings. Regular eye exams ensure your child is never put in a difficult position. It helps them keep up with the classroom pace as well as in their personal lives.

4. Detects Silent Eye Conditions

Eye problems can be quite evident, but not always. For instance, some issues like a crossed or lazy eye can progress gradually, and there are no visible signs of discomfort. These can appear normal, or you might think they will improve with time. This can make it tough for kids and parents to identify potential complications. Regular eye exams allow your eye doctor to detect anything that requires immediate attention, i.e., while they are still in the treatable stages. It gives your child the best chance at having a healthy vision.

5. Ensures Overall Eye Health

A regular eye exam doesn’t just relate to your child getting glasses or contact lenses. The scope of the comprehensive eye exam is quite vast. These routine evaluations help manage child’s overall eye health.

Your optometrist will assess your child’s complete medical history and check for visual acuity, 3D vision, eye alignment, eye movement, focusing abilities, refractive errors like myopia or astigmatism, color vision, and abnormalities with the retina or optic nerve. Such an extensive examination can also determine other health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and more. As parents, you should try to remain observant of your child’s eye health so nothing goes unidentified, and eye exams with a trusted specialist can supplement your efforts.

It Is Important To Be Proactive

Kids generally don’t complain about not being able to see properly. Holding books/phones too close to the face, squinting eyes while watching television, rubbing eyes frequently, experiencing watery eyes, and closing or covering one eye to see better are some hidden cues of poor vision. As parents, the responsibility falls on your shoulders to watch out for these subtle signs. If your child clearly states they cannot see properly, take it seriously. Try to be proactive in your approach when it comes to your child’s vision and overall well-being. Spare your child from any unnecessary struggles and help them thrive.

Choose Maple Grove Eye Doctors to Book an Eye Exam Today

Your child’s eyes are precious. They only get a single set in their lifetime, which shapes their world and helps them study, play, and grow. Visit the Maple Grove Eye Doctors for a comprehensive eye exam today. We believe that every child deserves the gift of good sight. With our advanced diagnostic equipment, we can identify the early signs of a problem so they do not affect your child’s day-to-day life.

From routine evaluations to suggesting lifestyle changes and helping kids choose their glasses or contacts, we can do it all. Ours is a patient-centric practice guiding families with care, precision, and compassion. We don’t just correct vision, but preserve your child’s sight in the long run. Call (763) 416-0622 to schedule an eye exam with us today.