Checking eyes is a back-to-school basic
Contributed by
H. Holland Crosswell III, M.D., president of
Columbia Eye Clinic

Holland Crosswell III

One important checklist item for preparing children for school is getting a proper vision check. When a child's vision suffers, it can affect not only school work but also recreational activities. According to Columbia Eye Clinic's ophthalmologists, many school age children have undetected vision problems that can affect their ability to learn.

"Studies have shown that up to 25% of school age children have vision problems that can easily be remedied with proper care," commented Wilson G. McWilliams, M.D., a Pediatric Ophthalmologist with Columbia Eye Clinic. "It's important for parents to be proactive and to know what to look for if they think their child is having vision difficulties."

Parents should consider the following as signals that a child's vision needs attention-

+ consistently sitting too close to the television

+ holding a book too close, losing their place while reading a book or using a finger to follow along while reading

+squinting their eyes

+rubbing eyes frequently

+sensitivity when exposed to light

+tearing excessively

+avoiding using a computer because it causes discomfort

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, some vision problems are easy to miss. That's why infants should be screened during their regular pediatric visits, and vision testing should be conducted on children beginning at around three years of age.

Grant Brown of Columbia Eye Clinic and the South Carolina Association of Opticians' Optician of the Year, says balancing eye activity is essential in the eye development of a young child. Parents should encourage a child to balance television and computer time with outdoor activities because this will promote eye control and coordination at various levels. Outdoor activities, however, can lead to eye injuries, so it's important for parents to know the latest technology in eyewear. Polycarbonate lenses are the most shatter-resistent and lightweight as well as thinner and scratch-resistant.

"One of the initial uses of polycarbonate material was in the helmet visors of the Apollo astronauts," commented Brown. "Because the material is up to 10 times more impact resistant than some other lens materials, polycarbonate is one of your best choices for children's eyewear."

For more information, call Columbia Eye Clinic at 779-3070.