Creating a solid foundation for a child’s education is one of the keys to their success in the future. Learning should be fun and engaging so children enjoy being at school. One of the biggest and sometimes overlooked components of a child’s learning experience is eye care.

According to the American Optometry Association, children should have an eye exam at 6 months and again at 3 years old in order to catch any potential vision problems before entering into pre-school. If a child is having trouble seeing in class, poor vision will affect how they behave, participate and process information. Most children younger than 3 don’t have the communication skills or even the awareness of knowing they need glasses. Taking early measures for proper eye care helps form the building blocks of a child’s education.

Refractive errors are the most common vision problems children are likely to encounter. This includes farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. These vision problems can affect their ability to read books, see chalkboards, take tests, and other important classroom activities. There are many vision problem signs parents and teachers can identify early, so being aware of these signs is important. If a child reads a book very close to their face, chances are they might be experiencing nearsightedness. Excessive squinting, or rubbing of the eyes can also be a sign. Parents should ask their child’s teacher to take note of whether their child avoids activities that require near vision like reading or drawing.

Getting children motivated and enjoying school early is key to a good education, and it starts with eye care. Parents that have any questions or would like more information should call the East West Eye Institute at 877-871-1684 or visit the website https://www.eastwesteye.com

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