%20(3_75%20x%202_25%20in)%20(2000%20x%201200%20px)%20(2).png)
How Does Your Student’s Eyesight Affect Their Grades?
Back to School in Royal Palm Beach, FL
When kids go back to school, their eyes are working all day.
They need to see the board, read books, use computers, complete homework, and constantly switch their focus from things that are close to things that are farther away.
If your child is not seeing clearly, some of those everyday school tasks can become harder than they should be. The difficult part is that kids do not always know their vision is blurry.
If they have always seen things a certain way, they may think everyone sees the same way they do. That is why the beginning of the school year can be a good time to watch for signs that your child may be having trouble seeing.
Can Poor Eyesight Affect School Performance?
There is research showing that vision can play a role in how well some children perform in school.
A 2021 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology followed more than 2,300 students in Baltimore City Public Schools. Students who needed glasses received eye exams and eyeglasses through a school vision program. Researchers found that reading scores improved during the first year for students who received vision care. Some of the biggest improvements were seen among children who had previously been performing at lower levels.
Another study published in The BMJ looked at more than 3,000 school children with nearsightedness. Children who were given free glasses performed better on a math test than children in the comparison group. School performance depends on many things. But if a child cannot clearly see what the teacher is showing them, correcting that vision problem can remove one extra obstacle.
Signs Your Child May Need Glasses
Most kids are probably not going to come home and say, "I think my vision prescription has changed." You are more likely to notice little things.
Watch for:
Squinting while looking at the board or television
Sitting very close to the television
Holding a tablet or book close to their face
Saying that things far away look blurry
Complaining about headaches after school or homework
Rubbing their eyes often
Moving closer to see something
Having trouble reading signs from a distance
One of these things happening once in a while does not necessarily mean your child needs glasses. It becomes more important when you keep noticing the same behavior.
Can Too Much Screen Time Bother Their Eyes?
Screens are part of school now. Between computers in the classroom, tablets, homework, phones, and television, kids can spend a lot of time looking at something close to their face. Long periods of screen use can leave some kids with tired or uncomfortable eyes.
A few simple changes can help:
Take breaks during long homework sessions.
Keep screens at a comfortable distance.
Try not to let kids hold tablets or phones inches from their face.
Encourage outdoor time when possible.
Remind them to look away from the screen every so often.
You may have heard of the 20-20-20 rule.
The idea is simple. About every 20 minutes, look at something around 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.
It gives the eyes a quick break from focusing up close. Screen breaks can help with eye strain, but they cannot correct blurry vision if your child actually needs glasses.
When Should You Have Your Child’s Eyes Checked?
Consider having your child's vision checked if you regularly notice:
Blurry vision
Squinting
Trouble seeing the board
Headaches during reading or homework
Double vision
One eye turning in or out
A failed school vision screening
Glasses that no longer seem to work well
Any vision problem that keeps coming back
Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, or a serious injury to the eye should be evaluated promptly.
Children’s Eye Exams in Royal Palm Beach, FL
For families in Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, and nearby communities, back-to-school season is a good reminder to pay attention to how your child is seeing.
If they are squinting, struggling to see the board, complaining about headaches, or telling you things look blurry, an eye exam can help you understand what is going on.
Caruso Eye Care can evaluate your child's vision and help determine whether glasses, monitoring, or other care may be needed.
FAQ
Can poor eyesight affect my child's grades?
It can make learning more difficult if your child cannot clearly see the board, books, or other school materials. Research has also found improvements in some academic scores after children with vision problems received glasses. Vision is only one part of school performance, though.
How can I tell if my child needs glasses?
Squinting, sitting close to screens, trouble seeing the board, holding things close to the face, and complaining about blurry vision are common signs.
Do cataracts cause eye pain?
Cataracts usually develop slowly and without pain. Sudden eye pain, redness, flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, or a curtain-like shadow are not typical cataract warning signs and should be checked promptly.
Why can my child read fine but not see the board?
They may be nearsighted. Nearsighted children can often see books and other close objects clearly while things across the room look blurry.
Can blurry vision cause headaches?
It can in some children. Straining to see clearly during reading, homework, or screen use may lead to tired eyes or headaches.
How often should children have their eyes checked?
That can depend on your child's age, vision, medical history, and whether they already wear glasses. Your child's pediatrician or eye care provider can recommend the right schedule.
Where can I schedule a children's eye exam in Royal Palm Beach, FL?
Caruso Eye Care provides eye care for families in Royal Palm Beach and surrounding South Florida communities. If you are concerned about your child's eyesight, an exam can help determine whether there is a vision problem that needs attention.
Medical Information Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat an eye condition. Vision changes can have many causes. Speak with your optometrist, ophthalmologist, primary care provider, or another qualified medical professional for guidance based on your individual health and symptoms.
Resources:
Neitzel AJ, Wolf B, Guo X, et al.
Effect of a Randomized Interventional School-Based Vision Program on Academic Performance of Students in Grades 3 to 7.
JAMA Ophthalmology, 2021.
This study followed more than 2,300 students in Baltimore City Public Schools and found improvement in reading performance during the first year among students who received school-based vision care and glasses.
Effect of a Randomized Interventional School-Based Vision Program on Academic Performance of Students in Grades 3 to 7: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial
2021