As most children head back to school a little earlier this year, parents across America are currently busy with back to school shopping and getting their kids’ vaccinations up to date. Kids are also busy trying to make the most out of the last few days or weeks, depending on where they are, of summer fun. One thing to be added to the ‘to do’ list, is your child’s eye health and safety. Poor vision can negatively impact a child’s learning. It is also important to discuss wearing protective gear to prevent eye injuries as they participate in summer and year-round athletics and any automotive or science courses that could cause sparks or chemical injuries to the eyes.
According to the website www.youreyesightmatters.com, “A good rule of thumb is to have your children’s eyes examined during well-child visits, beginning around age three.” The organization, Prevent Blindness has developed the Star Pupils Eye Health and Safety Curriculum to raise teachers’ awareness in identifying students with poor eye health that may be easily mistaken for learning disabilities. Parents are encouraged to learn the signs as well. Some are as follows:
- Seems bright but struggles with reading.
- Reverses words, numbers, or letters.
- Has poor reading comprehension.
So, make an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider today for a comprehensive eye exam before the first day of school. You may walk-in to any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, or you may schedule an appointment by visiting our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
Source: https://www.2020mag.com/article/childrens-eye-health-and-safety-month
https://youreyesightmatters.com/august-childrens-eye-health-safety-month/