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Vision may change frequently during adolescence and it is essential that children receive
annual eye exams. Back-to-school is the perfect time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam
for your child so he or she can start the new school year off right
Annual doctor and dentist visits have worked their way into parents’ busy schedules, but
according to American Optometric Association only 7% of kids have had a comprehensive
eye exam by the start of first grade.
“Vision may change frequently during adolescence and it is essential that children receive
annual eye exams. Back-to-school is the perfect time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam
for your child so he or she can start the new school year off right,” says Dr. Mark Jacquot,
Clinical Director of Vision Care for LensCrafters.
These four insights will help you stay on the right track with your child’s eye health.
1. Test Early: Recent research shows that simple school vision screenings detect just
5% of vision problems.
2. Tasty Food Can Help Vision: Antioxidant vitamins and minerals, lutein, zinc,
and omega-3 fatty acids help protect children’s eyes. Find them in scrambled eggs
with bell peppers, homemade fish fingers, almonds, carrots and leafy greens.
3. Be Cautious About Screen Time: Children age 8 to 18 spend more than seven
hours each day looking at screens, all of which emit dangerous blue light. Follow the
20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
4. Cover Up: Sunglasses are the only way to protect kids’ still-developing eyes.
“Look for sunglasses with 100% UV protection and make sure your child wears them
even when it’s cloudy,”, recommends Dr. Jacquot.
1
National Eye Institute – National Institutes of Health
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