Why Back to School Eye Exams are Important

In Mt. Pleasant, PA and the surrounding area, parents have an excellent option for their child's back to school eye exams with Dr. H. Arnold Papernick, who is highly experienced in caring for children's eyes beginning in infancy and in many cases sticking with these children well into their childhood and even as an adult. With 80% of classroom education taught visually, back to school eye exams should be high on parents' to do lists. 

When we look at a child's eyes, it can be hard for many to imagine anything going wrong, but unfortunately children's eye health and vision is a vulnerable thing. That's why August has been declared "Children's Eye Health and Safety Awareness month by Prevent Blindness in order to alert parents and other caretakers of potential eye problems frequently found in children, and the necessary steps necessary to prevent or limit any damage.

Eye Conditions We Look For in Back to School Eye Exams

There are several eye conditions that can affect a child's vision and their ability to learn and participate in activities. In many cases when eye or vision problems are put on the back burner, children can develop other issues as well, such as self-esteem issues or learning difficulties. Here are a few things for parents to watch for.

Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) is an eye condition caused by abnormal visual development in infants and small children and occurs when there is a lack of stimulation between the brain and nerve pathways. This signals the brain to favor one eye over the other. Common treatments include wearing an eye patch over the "good" eye in order to focus energy into the weaker eye and allow it to strengthen.

Crossed Eyes (Strabismus) -

Strabismus affects 4% of kids under 6 and is signified by eyes that don't line up with one another. Each eye focuses on something different, for example, one eye might be drawn to a picture in a book in front of the child, while the other is wandering toward a toy a few feet away. The condition is heredity and is usually corrected with glasses or surgery.

Color deficiency (color blindness) -

Color deficiency involves the inability to see colors as they are.

Refractive errors

Refractive errors are conditions that are related to how eyes react to light (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism). In most cases, glasses are in order when a refractive error is present, although contacts may be an option for some older kids. Getting annual eye exams before school helps to catch problems early and correct them.

Sports Eye injuries

 The leading cause of blindness in kids is eye injuries. The majority occur while playing sports, and most injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear. Corrective eyeglasses or sunglasses don't count, Different sports have sport specific protection. It is important to follow directions according to the specific sport.

If you or your child has problems with their eyes, or just want to make sure everything is okay contact H. Arnold Papernick OD in Mt. Pleasant, PA to schedule an appointment.