August isn’t simply back to school season — it’s also time to celebrate Children’s Eye Health and Safety month. With an estimated 80 percent of students being taught visually in the classroom, routine eye exams and checkups are more important than ever. Because your child’s eye health is key to their academic endeavors and social relationships, consider the importance of eye exams and current prescriptions to ensure your child’s vision is optimal.

Regular Eye Exams

One of the best ways to assess your child’s vision is by taking them to the optometrist for a professional eye exam. While many primary care doctors offer vision screening as part of your child’s wellness visits, there are possible problems and gaps these traditional tests can miss. Taking your child to the optometrist for an eye exam allows a specialist to thoroughly evaluate your child’s vision and make a note of any potential problems. It will also allow the eye doctor to prescribe any eyeglasses needed to help your child correct any vision issues.

Common symptoms of vision problems in children include frequent eye rubbing, blinking often, headaches, squinting, or covering one eye to see more clearly.

Updated Prescriptions

If your child has already been diagnosed with vision problems and has worn the same glasses or contacts prescription for over a year, consider visiting the optometrist to ensure they still have the right lenses. Eyesight changes as we age, which means your child could need an updated prescription to see more clearly. The eye doctor will be able to evaluate your child and determine if they could benefit from a different prescription.

Signs your child’s glasses or contacts may need to be updated include headaches, eye fatigue, seeing double, or blurred vision.

The optometrists at West Valley Vision Center in Fairbanks, AK, want to help you take care of one of your child’s most important senses: their eyesight. Whether your child needs a back-to-school eye exam or requires an updated prescription for their glasses, the professionals at West Valley Vision Center have the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat vision problems. To learn more about how they can help your family maintain healthy vision, visit their website, or call (907) 479-4700.