The Parenting Magazine
Child with glasses
August was declared National Children's Vision & Learning Month in 1995. The goal of this national observance is to help educate parents and educators about the critical link between vision and learning. The following are some important statistics about how vision problems interfere with learning:
- “25% of students in grades K-6 have visual problems that are serious enough to impede learning.” - American Public Health Association
- “When vision problems go undetected, children almost invariably have trouble reading and doing their schoolwork. They often display fatigue, fidgeting, and frustrations in the classroom—traits that can lead to a misdiagnosis of dyslexia or other learning disabilities.” - American Optometric Association
- “It is estimated that 80% of children with a learning disability have an undiagnosed vision problem.” - Vision Council of America
- “Early diagnosis and treatment of children’s vision problems is a necessary component to school readiness and academic learning; and that vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Comprehensive eye and vision examinations ... are important for all children first entering school and regularly throughout their school-aged years to ensure healthy eyes and adequate visual skills essential for successful academic achievement.” - National PTA Policy Statement 2005, Elements of Comprehensive Health Programs
- "Early testing for vision problems is key to preventing learning disabilities or, in some cases, significant visual impairment in children." - Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, Task Force Chairman, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
- “A three year study of 540 children found that those children who had visual perceptual and eye movement difficulties did poorly on standardized tests.” - Dr. Lynn Hellerstein, FAAO, FCOVD, Developmental Optometrist and Past President of COVD.
With school back in session this month, it is a great time to get your child’s eyes examined. A comprehensive vision exam with an optometrist is the first step in uncovering the link in a child's vision and learning.
