Heading back to school comes with its own set of challenges for children, like sitting still in class, learning new material, and making friends. One thing your child shouldn’t have to worry about is their vision.
Good vision is crucial for learning, and it can make a big difference in your child’s academic success. So, before the school year starts, make sure to add a comprehensive eye exam at Westpoint Optical to your back-to-school checklist.
How Does Vision Impact Learning?
Vision plays a significant role in learning in various ways. Imagine how frustrating it would be for your child to sit in class and struggle to see the teacher’s writing on the board due to poor eyesight. But there are other vision problems that can also make learning difficult.
Poor visual skills can make it hard for a child’s eyes to focus and work together effectively. These issues can affect their reading abilities, math skills, concentration, and even social interactions. When vision problems arise, it can lead to frustration, impacting their behavior and self-esteem. After all, 80% of classroom learning relies on good vision.
Having healthy vision is also important for activities outside the classroom, such as sports and extracurriculars.
What if My Child Is Nearsighted?
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a common vision problem among children. In fact, there’s a growing concern about the increasing rates of myopia in school-age children, often referred to as the “myopia epidemic.”
Parents often ask how they can slow down or stop the progression of myopia. Fortunately, childhood myopia can be managed to minimize the damaging effects of the condition, and slow its progression.
Is Childhood Myopia reversible ?
Although myopia itself isn’t reversible, it can be managed effectively to minimize its impact and slow its progression.
Research shows that children with higher levels of myopia have a higher risk of developing sight-threatening eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration later in life. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your child’s prescription as low as possible.
Myopia management aims to prevent the elongation of the eyeball, which is a root cause of myopia. After a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will create a personalized treatment plan based on your child’s level of myopia and age. Following the treatment plan can help stabilize your child’s prescription.
Pediatric Eye Care at Westpoint Optical
Whether it’s a back-to-school eye exam or a myopia management consultation, Westpoint Optical offers a wide range of pediatric eye care services to ensure your child’s eyes are healthy and happy—the foundation for academic success!
To schedule an appointment for your child, call Westpoint Optical in Brampton West today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I tell if my child is ready for contact lenses?
A: If your child wears glasses and expresses interest in wearing contact lenses, there are a few signs that can indicate they may be ready. Look for hygiene-consciousness, their ability to do chores without constant reminders, and their responsible care of their glasses. We can discuss whether your child is a good candidate for contact lenses and help you make an informed decision.
Q: What’s involved in a pediatric eye exam?
A: A pediatric eye exam assesses both the internal and external health of the eyes, as well as visual health. The optometrist will evaluate visual skills like eye movement, tracking abilities, eye teaming, color vision, depth perception, peripheral awareness, eye focusing, and visual acuity. It’s important to bring your child in annually for a comprehensive eye exam to ensure their eyes and vision are developing normally. School vision screenings are not a substitute for the expertise of a pediatric optometrist.
At Westpoint Optical, we offer quality frames for prescription eyeglasses and computer glasses that match your child’s style