Make Sure to Check Eye Exams Off Your Back-to-School List

Set children up for success in the classroom; 80% of what a child learns is through vision

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TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - It's back-to-school time and while those lists of to do's keep growing, don't forget the most important tool your child will need for success this year - healthy vision.

With an average of one in four children having an undetected vision problem that can interfere with their ability to read and learn, proper eye care and eyewear are critical to performance inside and outside of the classroom.

"Eighty per cent of what a child learns is through vision but sadly 86 per cent of children start school without ever having an eye examination," said Rachel Hill Campbell, Optician. "Many parents and caregivers rely on the basic vision screenings provided at school to check for eye problems, but those screenings are simply not enough. These basic vision screenings check primarily for distance vision, which is how well a child can read a chart from 20 feet away."

In fact, near vision isn't typically tested during in-school screenings, but it is especially important for everyday activities such as reading books and looking at a computer screen. "Relying exclusively on these basic vision screenings can mean missing some of the most common childhood vision problems, such as a lack of eye coordination, a lazy eye, and farsightedness," said Hill Campbell.

Undiagnosed vision problems are one of the major causes of learning difficulties in school-age children. These kinds of unresolved issues can lead children to exhibit a lack of attention, make them seem fidgety during the school day and can often be misinterpreted as behavioural issues or learning disabilities. Monitoring your children's vision may help the chances of them succeeding in the classroom.

Common signs of possible vision problems in children:

• Holding reading materials too close to their eyes
• Constantly rubbing of eyes
• Continuously squinting
• Having irritated or teary eyes

Regular, comprehensive eye exams are essential to both your child's long-term eye health and their academic success. School-age children should undergo at minimum of one eye examination per year.

These exams are critical because they help identify any potential eye health issues before long-term damage occurs.

A thorough eye examination should include:

• A review of you or your child's health and vision history
• An external and internal examination of the eye to determine overall eye health
• Testing of the fluid pressure of the eye which is important in detecting glaucoma
• Tests for near-sightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, colour perception, eye coordination, depth perception and focusing ability

UV rays and glare are also factors in a child's eye health. In fact, the average child receives three times the annual UV exposure of an adult. Over long periods of time, this exposure can contribute to diminished vision quality and a deterioration of their long-term eye health. For this reason, it is important to select child-appropriate lenses, like Transitions® everyday lenses, that automatically adapt to changing light, provide glare protection and block 100 per cent of the sun's eye-damaging UV rays.

For more information and tips about healthy sight, visit www.eyedidntknowthat.ca or www.transitions.com.

About Transitions Optical
As the leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers, Transitions Optical, headquartered in Pinellas Park, Fla., offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs and materials. Transitions Optical is driven by innovation to support the advancement of healthy sight and adaptive eyewear, and to providing its partners the tools and programs their businesses need to thrive.  Transitions® lenses are the #1-recommended photochromic lenses worldwide. Transitions Optical's family of products includes everyday lenses, designed to be worn indoors and darken outdoors, and performance lenses, designed to be worn outdoors in place of sun lenses.  Transitions everyday lenses adapt to light to provide more comfortable vision while protecting eyes from UV. Transitions performance lenses include the company's sunwear line, Transitions® SOLFX™ sun lenses, which enhance visual performance in specific outdoor activities by adapting to optimize colour and darkness in changing light conditions.

For more information about healthy sight and protective eyewear, visit transitions.com or eyeglassguide.ca.

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.