Healthy Habit: Back to School Eye Exam

Welcome back-to-school Houston-area students! We hope your school year is off to a great start. It’s a busy time of year, but one of the most important tasks on your back-to-school list should be “comprehensive eye exam appointment.” Yearly eye exams should be part of your back-to-school routine just like new sneakers and school supplies.

Education + Eye Health

Even small changes in vision can result in eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision, which is distracting for young learners. A yearly eye exam means your student will always have an up-to-date prescription, and you will have a regular opportunity to ask questions and get recommendations from a professional. Parents, make sure to check if you have Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account money to use before the end of the year—eyeglasses are a great way to use those pre-tax FSA or HAS dollars.

Common Pediatric Eye Problems

A few common eye problems among children and their symptoms to watch for:

• Myopia (nearsightedness): A person can see near objects more clearly than distant objects. Holding objects up very close and squinting may be signs of myopia.
• Hyperopia (farsightedness): A person can see distant objects more clearly than nearby objects; infants and young children are typically farsighted to some degree, a condition which generally lessons as the eye grows.
• Astigmatism: Objects both near and far appear blurred, resulting from uneven curvature of the cornea and/or eye lens; it often accompanies myopia or hyperopia.

More Eye Health Tips for Students

In addition to regular appointments and updated prescriptions, students should remember a few more eye health & eye care tips:

• If you play sports, remember to keep your sports eyewear prescription updated—sunglasses, too!
• Take care of your eyewear—do not leave your glasses in hot cars, and keep them in a hard-sided case when not in use.
• Be sure to take regular breaks away from the computer screen.

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