We have a special interest in the care of children's eyes because of the possible impact on learning to read, write and reproduce phonics. Mobility can also be affected by poor coordination.

Several conditions can present in early childhood that can impact negatively on learning and more importantly, on self-confidence. Those factors can combine to unfairly inhibit a child's chances of reaching their potential.

80% of what a child learns is taken in through their eyes and visual system.

Imagine trying to learn how to read without being able to clearly see the words, or trying to learn how to add numbers without being able to tell if the number is a six or an eight. A large number of children enter school without ever having a full eye exam.

Consider the facts below and do you child a favour: Book an Eye Exam and ensure their school year is a happy and great one!

Studies have found that approximately 25% of Year 0-8 students have visual problems that are serious enough to impede learning.

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.

It has been estimated that 80% of children with a learning disability may have an undiagnosed vision problem.

Examples of some of the visual issues children may have are:

• Shortsightedness (Myopia): Far away things look blurry. It starts at any age but particularly around puberty and occurs so gradually that the child is unaware that they are not seeing clearly.
• Longsightedness (Hyperopia). Close things look blurry and can really affect learning.
• Squint/Lazy Eye (Heterotropia). An eye can turn in or out.
• Binocular vision Problems: How the eyes work together as a team.
• Colour Vision problems. Awareness of which is important in career selection decisions
• Visual perceptive disorders eg Irlens syndrome, Dyslexia.
• Eye Health Problems eg Congenital cataracts, Keratoconus.

While vision screenings at Kindy and school are helpful, they do not replace a comprehensive eye examination. The NZ Association of Optometrists (NZAO) recommends that infants should have their first eye exam at age 6 to 12 months and follow up eye exams at the ages 3 and 5 years. Further recommendations are an eye exam every two years for school-aged children who do not require vision correction. Children requiring glasses and/or contact lenses should have annual eye exams.