The Back-to-school check up

SASKATOON – The kids are finally back in school, and because untreated vision problems interfere with reading and learning, the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists (SAO) reminds parents to ensure their children have had a recent eye exam.

Optometrists say that eighty per cent of learning is visual, and point to studies showing that up to sixty per cent of students identified as problem learners suffer from undetected vision problems. “Untreated eye conditions can lead to serious problems,” says Dr Dorothy Barrie, Association Past President and mother of two. “They may affect a child’s academic performance, athletic performance and even self esteem.”

The problems aren’t always obvious, though, according to Dr Barrie, who points out that it is possible for a child to have a vision problem without showing any symptoms at all. “Your child may appear to see things clearly, but that does not necessarily mean that the eyes are coordinated and working together, or that they are tracking properly,” she says. “These are two very important skills required for reading.”

In addition to testing how well the eyes are seeing and how well they work together, according to the SAO, an optometric eye exam also includes assessing the health of the eye, hand/eye coordination testing, peripheral (side) vision testing, and the eye’s ability to refocus smoothly and quickly from distance to near vision. “It’s important that children have the tools they require to succeed academically, and ensuring that eyes are working properly is certainly one of the most important of these,” says Dr Barrie.

SAO and the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommend children have eye health assessments at age 6 months, 3 years, and annually thereafter. In Saskatchewan, children ages 0 through 17 are fully covered for an annual eye examination by Saskatchewan Health.

“Parents often put a lot of effort into finding the right school, the right teacher, and even the right supplies to help their children succeed,” notes Dr Barrie. “We just want them to remember that a child’s eyes are an important piece of this equation. Good grades and good vision usually go hand in hand.”

The Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists represents all practicing optometrists throughout the province.