Another school year is here. And if you’re like most people, you’ve got your back-to-school checklist in one hand and your car keys in the other. But before you head out to start crossing off your little learner’s must-haves, there’s an essential item you’ll want to add.
Clear vision can be the biggest step on the road to a successful school year. And the only way to make sure your child has it is to take a trip to the eye doctor. But for many of us, the experience can be as confusing as the first day of algebra. So here are five tips to help you prepare for the exam.
1. Start early.
It’s recommended that children see the eye doctor at 6 months, 3 years, before starting Pre-K or kindergarten, and annually thereafter.
2. Don’t wait for a problem to appear.
One in four children has an undetected vision problem that can affect learning. Even if your child doesn’t complain of vision problems it’s best to take a proactive approach, as children often don’t realize they’re seeing the world differently than others. An eye exam can check to see how well the eyes work together and ensure your child can focus their eyes properly.
3. Ask for polycarbonate lenses.
Polycarbonate lenses are up to 10 times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses, helping protect your child’s eyes from unexpected sport injuries and playground snafus. With the latest technology to customize your child’s lenses to their unique visual needs ask for lenses like UNITY.®
4. Ask about UV protection.
Kids don’t spend the entire day in the classroom. And children’s eyes are more vulnerable to UV light. Light-reactive lenses like sunsync® are a perfect solution for kids and parents alike. They automatically darken in sunlight and return to clear indoors, blocking 100% of UV light, reducing blue light exposure, and delivering clear, comfortable vision. Your kid will love the cool effect, and you’ll love the fact that they won’t have a second pair of glasses to lose or break!
5. Limit your child’s blue light exposure.
With the curriculum shifting from the text book to the tablet, it’s important to limit the amount of high-energy blue light your child is receiving. Blue light emitted by various devices can contribute to digital eye strain in as little as two hours of screen time. So be sure to ask the doctor about reducing blue light exposure with lens enhancements like TechShield® or sunsync.
Remember to Set a Good Example.
Your children follow your lead. Set a good example and always wear your glasses as instructed by your eye doctor. And be sure to practice proactive eye health by scheduling annual eye exams for the entire family.