Back to School — The Eyes Have It!

In Pennsylvania, there is a state law that says that you must have your children's teeth examined before they enter school at various grade levels. There is no law that says that you must have your children's eyes examined!

Think about it! 80% of what transpires in the classroom is a function of visual processing, the ability to transfer the printed word from the page to the brain. Children do not learn through their teeth, not even their "eye teeth."

For a child to simply read a line on an eye chart is no guarantee that there is nothing wrong with the child's eyes. An eye chart does not measure how a child focuses on the words in their books. An eye chart does not measure how a child can shift focus from his or her books to the board. An eye chart tells you nothing about how a child's eyes work together.

Children with these functional problems have difficulty staying on task, following directions, copying from the board, or paying attention. Children with these problems frequently lose their place when reading, skip words, substitute words, or can't remember what they have just read. Children who do not perform up to their potential can easily have a visual performance, yet the eye chart says there is "nothing wrong" with your child's eyes.

Think about a professional eye examination before your child enters school at any grade level. It may save you and your child many years of frustration.