Why Back-to-School Vision Screenings Shouldn’t Replace Annual Eye Exams

Back-to-school season is here and doctors are urging parents to add one more thing to the prep list: an eye exam.

"Most schools have some sort of vision screening for students, performed by a school nurse or volunteer," says Dr. Gary Heiting, senior editor of AllAboutVision.com. "These quick tests can help identify students who may need eye care, but the truth is that many students who pass actually have a vision problem that needs to be seen by an eye doctor."

In fact, studies show that up to 11 percent of children who pass a vision screening have a vision problem that needs treatment.

While a vision screening is better than nothing, sometimes results get lost in the shuffle and even students who fail the vision screening don't get the attention they need.

One in four school-age children have vision problems that can affect learning and development, according to Prevent Blindness America. The best way to ensure your child has the eye care she needs to perform her best at school is to have her eyes examined by an eye doctor.

"A child can become very frustrated when they can't see what's on the board or read print properly, leading to poor academic performance," says Dr. Heiting. "An eye doctor may find that your child has a common refractive error: nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. These are easily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses."

To learn 10 signs that a child's vision needs correction, visit here.