It’s August and we just started school with our kiddos. Congratulations for getting through summer . . . now we have to start waking up early and getting ready for drop off every morning.
Parenting is not for the weak!
August starts the school year for our smart and independent kiddos and it’s a great time to also remember to get their eyes checked.
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month and National Eye Exam Month!
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends getting your kiddos’ eyes checked at the newborn stage, 6-12 months, 12-36 months, 3-5 years, and 5+ years. At each of these growth stages, doctors can assess red reflex, pupil response, eye alignment, eye movement, visual acuity, and more.
Basic eye exams are often done at yearly well-checks, but as a child grows, it is better to see an ophthalmologist for an in-depth check-up.
As your babies grow and learn how to read and write, it is important that they are able to see the board and what the teacher is discussing. Ensuring your kiddo has the tools they need for school could mean glasses too.
When I was in first grade, I was straining to see the board. I would have small headaches and squint to see things far away.
My parents set up an eye appointment right away . . . AND surprise, surprise . . . I needed glasses. My parents were great at listening to what I needed so that I was able to learn better in my first-grade class.
I was able to see the board clearly and follow along with the teacher’s lessons after I got my glasses.
I have had glasses since first grade. This was so important for my learning career. My eyesight did worsen as I grew older, and I received regular checks at the eye doctor.
By the time I was 16, I decided that contacts were my style. I recently got LASIK (in my 30s) and am still getting my eyes checked for my eye health.
If your child complains of these things, it’s best to schedule an eye exam for them instead of just a basic screening.
- Squinting or closing one eye
- Poor reading ability and comprehension
- Blinking or rubbing eyes
- Holding electronic devices or books too close to the eyes
- Poor school performance
Once you take care of your kiddos’ eyes, don’t forget to take care of yourself and get your eyes checked, too.
An eye exam can tell the doctor important things about your overall health as well. UMass Memorial Health lists seven things your eyes can tell your doctor about your health:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases
- Thyroid disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cancer of the eye
- And more
Some of these problems can be detected in your eyes before your regular doctor might catch them. Diabetes and thyroid issues run in my family, so it is important for me to be able to get my regular checkups and ensure I catch these issues early.
I didn’t know that you could see high cholesterol and blood pressure with your eye exams.
Parents, you are doing great! Just schedule those eye exams now if you have any concerns. Here are a few places in ABQ that local moms recommend:
