The month of August has quickly arrived, meaning back-to-school time for children. With the upcoming school year approaching, we tend to get caught up in shopping for supplies for our children.  Fulfilling their enrollment, orientation, and physical examination needs are essential to their ability to thrive. When we neglect the eye health of our grandchildren, it can cause academic strife in the classroom. Having a successful school year is contingent upon the student’s ability to learn, and retain information. It is estimated that 80% of a child’s learning is processed visually, therefore the lack of clear vision can significantly affect their overall academic performance. Make sure an eye examination is on the top of their parents to-do list, before the school year begins.

Common eye problem symptoms include:

  • Squinting while focusing on a screen or reading a book
  • Head turning or tilting to relieve eye muscle strain
  • Having difficulty seeing close or afar.
  • Short attention span for school work
  • Constant eye rubbing
  • Frequent headaches

If your grandchildren display any of these symptoms or have a family history of vision defects, please schedule an appointment for an eye examination. It is crucial to set them up for success this school year.

In addition to eye health, eye safety is just as, if not more important. Whether at the playground, playing video games, or swimming at the pool, they should practice eye safety year-round by safeguarding their eyes, and taking the proper precautions listed below:

  • Scheduled time limits on your grandchildren’s activities.
  • All children should wear protective eyewear while participating in sports or recreational activities.
  • Do not allow your grandchildren to rub or touch their eyes if hands are dirty.
  • Do not attempt to remove any kind of debris off their eye(s) on your own.
  • Do not apply any kind of medications to the eye(s).
  • If chemicals come into contact with your grandchild’s eye(s), immediately flush their eye(s) with water.
  • Seek medical attention to determine overall health of the eye after the incident

At Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute we care about your grandchildren’s eye health and safety.  We advise scheduling a comprehensive eye exam and taking preventive measures to ensure that they maintain excellent eye health.

To schedule an appointment with our Optometrist Dr. Lisa Galluzzo, call 954-741-5555 or visit flei.com to fill out an appointment form.

Source:

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month (visionforlifeworks.com)