Children see the world in ways that many adults envy. From learning to read their first words to exploring the world around them, their vision is fundamental to their growth and development.
Routine eye exams are essential for everyone, not just children or those experiencing vision changes. However, children do benefit immensely from annual exams, as they often don’t even realize that they have vision issues and/or may struggle to express that they’re having problems.
Here are 5 benefits of annual children’s eye exams:
- Proper vision development
- Detecting hidden health concerns
- Supporting academic success
- Building confidence and social skills
- Preventing digital eye strain
At Northern Lights Eyecare, we make the eye exam process fun, engaging, and thorough. Whether it’s a children’s eye exam or an adult contact lens exam, our expert team has you covered.
Proper Vision Development
Kids’ eyes undergo significant changes as they grow.
Eye exams can identify developmental concerns like lazy eye (amblyopia) or crossed eyes (strabismus) early on by assessing how a child’s eyes focus and move together and how their pupils react to light.
Since children’s eyes experience rapid changes, they are often more responsive to treatment. That’s part of why catching problems early allows us to support your child’s vision and prevent greater concerns down the line.
Detecting Hidden Health Concerns
An eye exam can reveal more than just vision problems. That old saying, “eyes are windows to the soul,” has more merit than you might think, at least when it comes to your health.
General health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can often manifest initially through changes in the eye, affecting its internal structures or leading to vision concerns.
Routine eye exams offer comprehensive insights into the eye’s overall health. Optometrists can monitor the eye’s internal structures through diagnostic imaging tools and instruments to identify any abnormalities or structural changes.
Remember, the sooner we focus on management of issues, the better the outcome.
Supporting Academic Success
Children are visual learners.
In the classroom, about 80% of learning focuses on visual tasks, like reading, writing, and interpreting illustrations such as charts and graphs.
Uncorrected vision problems can hinder reading, confidence, writing, and classroom participation, causing children to disengage from learning entirely or a host of other poor learning outcomes.
Regular eye exams can equip kids with the visual tools they need to excel in school, whether that means glasses, vision therapy, or reassurance that everything is just right.
Building Confidence & Social Skills
No one likes the feeling of being left out. When you’re young, that feeling is even more devastating. Children who cannot see clearly may withdraw from social interactions or avoid participating in activities.
Glasses or other corrective measures can make a significant difference in a child’s self-esteem, supporting them as they participate in the activities they love, whether it’s spotting a ball on the soccer field or navigating their way through art projects.
At Northern Lights Eyecare, we offer a range of frames to make sure your child feels amazing about wearing their new glasses! Your child will be receiving compliments on their stylish frames while their glasses withstand the rigors of play.
Preventing Digital Eye Strain
There’s no escaping the convenience of digital screens and modern technology. With screens becoming a valuable learning tool both in and out of the classroom, digital eye strain is more common than ever.
When your eyes focus for long hours on close-up tasks, without adequate breaks, and poor lighting conditions, the eyes become fatigued, overworked, and dry. Eye strain can also cause myopia (nearsightedness) to worsen.
Eye exams can evaluate how your child’s eyes cope with prolonged screen use and provide practical advice, like screen-time breaks or specialized lenses to mitigate strain.
In the meantime, encourage healthy eye habits at home. For instance, follow the 20-20-20 rule: for every 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.
Encourage Lifelong Eye Care Habits
Instilling the habit of regular eye exams early in life fosters a sense of personal responsibility for health.
Children who grow up understanding the importance of eye care are more likely to continue these practices into adulthood, setting them up for a lifetime of healthy vision! Whether it’s your child’s first time in the exam chair or it’s time for your own routine eye exam, book your next eye exam with Northern Lights Eyecare. Our experienced team is here to support your family’s vision needs with care, clarity, and comfort.