Why Do Our Children Need a Comprehensive Eye Examination Before Starting School?
For a child to succeed at school, many skills are required, and good vision is the key.
Throughout their education, children face increasing demands on their visual abilities. The font in textbooks gets smaller, and the time spent reading and studying increases significantly. The greater workload and homework place a significant burden on the child’s eyes. For children to be able to learn effectively and succeed, their vision must be of high quality and complete.
Healthy vision is linked to success in the classroom and beyond
Vision problems are not isolated issues. They affect almost every aspect of a child’s development — from academic achievement and sporting activities to social interaction and the process of building self-confidence. However, without a comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist, many vision disorders may go undetected, or — worse still — be misdiagnosed as Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder, dyslexia, learning difficulties or behavioural problems. These misdiagnoses can then carry over into adulthood and further affect the individual’s level of education, employment opportunities and social interactions.
Prepared by the Editorial Board of the Eye Foundation Hospitals.
