Does My Kid Need Glasses? Often Overlooked Signs

Does your child need glasses? Here are some concerns that mean it may be time to make an appointment with Vision Source Family Eye Care for a vision screening.

Rubbing the Eyes

If your child regularly rubs their eyes, especially when trying to read or see the whiteboard at school, then they might need glasses. This can also indicate eye allergies, but a visit to your eye doctor in Brunswick, St. Marys, or Jesup, GA, can help you rule out any vision concerns.

Tilting the Head

If you notice your child tilting their head while reading, there may be a problem that glasses can fix. Kids often do this to compensate for vision challenges, because the slight tilt brings things into focus.

Difficulty with Puzzles

One sign that parents may notice in preschoolers or toddlers is difficulty doing puzzles. If your child can’t do age-appropriate puzzles, it may not be a developmental reason. It could be because their eyes aren’t working properly and they can’t see to place the pieces in the puzzle.

Refusal to Read

There are a number of reasons why kids may not want to read at school or at home. Vision issues is one of these. Before you assume a learning disability or an overall stubborn child, make an appointment with Vision Source Family Eye Care to have your child’s vision checked.

Headaches

One of the most common causes of headaches in young children is vision issues. Kids are great at compensating for poor vision, but the continual eye strain may lead to headaches.

Overall School Struggles

Finally, if your child is struggling in school, the first line of defense is a visit to the eye doctor in Brunswick, St. Marys, or Jesup, GA, to rule out vision issues. If the eyes are fine, then talk to the teacher about other thoughts. However, if your child can’t see, they’ll continue to struggle.

Do you think your child has vision issues? Schedule an appointment with Vision Source Family Eye Care to get testing.

3 Reasons to Schedule an Eye Exam Before Back to School

When you’re in the midst of all the back-to-school tasks, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s just one of the reasons why you might forget to schedule an eye exam in Jesup, GA. Here, we’ll give you a few reminders about why you may need to make this ‘errand’ a bigger priority.

1. Visual Lessons Are Crucial

More than just being able to see the blackboard, your child needs to be able to take in everything from the words on a page to the images on a screen. No matter how your student’s teachers conduct their lessons, they can actively begin to fall behind if their vision isn’t up to par.

2. Your Child’s Vision Can Change Faster than You Think

Your vision can change at any time, no matter who you are and how well you take care of your eyes. However, for the most part, adult vision is more stable than children’s. (That’s why patients aren’t typically approved for LASIK surgery until they’re at least 18 years old.) So, even if your child was seeing perfectly at the beginning of the summer, that doesn’t mean they’re seeing well now.

3. An Optometrist Can Catch More than Just Visual Problems

For the most part, younger people don’t have to worry about major visual disorders. That said, even preschool age children can be susceptible to certain issues. From congenital disorders to pink eye, an optometrist in Jesup, GA can do more than just quantify your child’s visual range.

If you’re ready to help your child see a little better, contact Vision Source Family Eye Care to learn more about scheduling your little one before you send them back to the classroom!

When Should My Child Have Their First Eye Exam?

As a parent, you always want the best for your child, and ensuring their overall health includes taking care of their eyesight. Scheduling their first eye exam is an essential step in monitoring their visual development and detecting any potential issues early on. But when exactly should your child have their first eye exam?

Infant Eye Exams

Believe it or not, your child’s first eye exam should take place much earlier than you might think. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that infants undergo their initial comprehensive eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age. This early examination allows eye doctors to detect any potential vision problems or eye conditions that could impact your child’s visual development.

Preschool Eye Exams

The next milestone in your child’s eye care journey is during their preschool years. The AOA suggests that children have another eye exam around the age of 3. At this stage, your eye doctor in Jesup, GA will evaluate your child’s visual acuity, eye alignment, and overall eye health. Early detection of any vision problems can help ensure that your child is ready for school and able to learn effectively.

School-Age Eye Exams

As your child enters school, regular eye exams become even more critical. The AOA recommends that school-age children without any known vision problems have an eye exam every two years. However, if your child wears glasses or contacts, or if they have a known eye condition, annual exams are recommended.

Keep in mind that school vision screenings, while very helpful, are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam by a professional eye doctor. These screenings may detect some vision problems, but they can miss other issues that a comprehensive eye exam is more likely to catch.

Remember, your child’s first eye exam should take place during infancy, with subsequent exams at age 3 and then every two years during their school years. Ensuring regular eye exams for your child can help detect vision problems early, allowing for timely intervention and treatment. Maintaining your child’s eye health is a crucial part of their overall well-being and success in school and life. Book an eye exam in Jesup, GA for your child today.