With the start of a new school year, parents are busy checking off their back-to-school lists—pencils, notebooks, backpacks, and new shoes. But one crucial item often gets overlooked: an eye exam. Good vision is important for learning and making sure your child has healthy eyes at the start of the school year can greatly affect their school performance and confidence in class.
At Visual Symptoms Treatment Center in Arlington Heights, we offer comprehensive eye care services to ensure your child goes into the new year with the clear vision they need to succeed.
The Link Between Vision and Learning
Did you know that about 80% of what a child learns in school is presented visually? Good eyesight is important for a child’s learning. It helps them read textbooks and follow along on the whiteboard. Undiagnosed vision problems can lead to frustration, difficulty concentrating, and even misdiagnoses of attention-related disorders.
Below are some common signs that your child may need an eye exam and how each one can impact their learning experience:
Squinting or Frequent Headaches
If your child frequently squints while reading or complains of headaches after school, it may be a sign of an uncorrected vision problem. Squinting is often a way for the eyes to attempt to focus, but over time, it can lead to eye strain and discomfort. Headaches, especially after extended periods of reading or screen use, may indicate issues like astigmatism or farsightedness.
Holding Books or Tablets Too Close
If your child is holding books or digital devices very close to their face, they may be experiencing nearsightedness (myopia). This condition makes distant objects appear blurry, which can make it difficult to see the board at school. As more learning shifts to digital formats, clear near and distance vision is more important
Complaints of Blurry Vision
Blurry vision can result from a variety of eye conditions, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. If your child struggles to see the board, read assignments, or complete homework, they may be compensating for an undiagnosed vision issue. Over time, this can lead to frustration and difficulty keeping up with classwork.
Difficulty with Reading Comprehension
Reading requires both clear vision and strong eye coordination. If your child struggles to follow words on a page, they may have difficulty keeping their place while reading. This could indicate a problem with eye teaming (how well both eyes work together.) This can affect comprehension, making it harder for students to retain information and enjoy reading.
Trouble Following Along in Class
If your child has trouble copying notes from the board, following instructions, or staying focused in class, vision problems might be the cause. Blurry or double vision can make it hard for children to focus on their work. This can lead to distractions and frustration. This can sometimes be seen as a lack of attention or behavior problems. In reality, your child just can’t see clearly.
Adjusting to Changes – Even in the ABCs.
Just as vision care is evolving with new technologies, even the ABC song has undergone a change:
The classic tune, which many of us grew up singing, now features modified pauses to make the letter sequence easier to understand. Instead of the quick rush through L-M-N-O-P, the new version spaces out the letters more evenly:
“A-B-C-D-E-F-G (pause) H-I-J-K-L-M-N (pause) O-P-Q (pause) R-S-T (pause) U-V-W (pause) X-Y-Z. Now I never will forget, how to say the alphabet.”
This change was made to help young learners understand the song better. It removes the confusion of the fast-paced “LMNOP” and simplifies the ending.
Making a small change can help with understanding, ensuring your child can see clearly will also help them learn and remember better in school. Struggling to see the board or read books can cause gaps in learning, just like a rushed ABC song might lead to mistakes in reciting the alphabet.
Get Your Back-to-School Eye Exam in Arlington Heights
As you prepare for the upcoming school year, consider scheduling an eye exam for your child. Many vision problems go unnoticed because children may not realize they see differently than their peers. Early detection and treatment can prevent learning setbacks and help set your child up for success.
Clear vision isn’t just about seeing—it’s about thriving in the classroom, building confidence, and making the most of the school year. Just like learning the alphabet helps with reading, good eye health is important for doing well in school. So, before your child steps into the classroom this year, make sure their vision is 20/20.
Schedule an eye exam at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center and give your child the clarity they need for a successful school year.