As parents, we do our best to make sure our kids are healthy, happy and thriving.
From nutritious lunches to the right school supplies, we try to tick all the boxes.
But how often do we think about their eye health?
Regular eye examinations are often overlooked, yet they’re a vital part of supporting your child’s learning and development.
"Annual eye examinations are vital for school-aged children. By visiting a trusted optometrist once a year from the time they start primary school, your child’s vision can be monitored and any issues detected early, ensuring they have the best possible foundation for learning and development,” said Katherine Whittaker, optometrist and National Professional Services Advisor at Optometry Australia.
Why having regular eye exams is essential
With studies indicating that up to one in three children will develop myopia (short-sightedness) by adolescence, the importance of annual eye exams cannot be overstated.
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long, causing distant objects to appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. This refractive error typically begins in childhood and often worsens during the school years.
“If myopia isn’t caught early and managed effectively, it can lead to more serious vision problems over time. While low to moderate myopia might simply require glasses or contact lenses, unaddressed or progressive myopia, particularly in children, can have long-term consequences that impact eye health and overall quality of life.”
High myopia (greater than -6.00 diopters) significantly increases the risk of developing vision-threatening conditions, like retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration, later in adulthood
An eye test isn’t just about checking if your child has myopia either.
It’s also an opportunity to detect conditions like lazy eye (amblyopia), eye coordination problems or even rare but serious issues like retinoblastoma.
Vision and learning go hand in hand
Did you know that 80% of what children learn is processed visually?
Whether it’s reading a book, following a whiteboard presentation or participating in sports, clear vision is critical. If your child’s eyesight isn’t up to scratch, they may struggle unnecessarily—and the signs aren’t always obvious.
"From engaging in classroom lessons to building confidence in social settings, good eyesight plays a key role. The challenge is that children won’t always realise they’re struggling to see clearly because they don’t know any different.”
Unlike adults, children often don’t realise their vision is blurry or distorted because they assume everyone sees the world as they do. This means that even if they’re struggling to read or focus in classroom settings, they might not mention it.
Regular eye examinations ensure any issues are detected early before they affect your child’s schoolwork or confidence.
Setting kids up for success
Good vision lays the foundation for learning, social interaction and overall development.
By ensuring your child has regular eye examination, you’re giving them the best chance to thrive.
Before they head back to school, be sure to book in with your trusted optometrist and rest assured you’re giving them the best start to a new year of learning.
To schedule an appointment with your closest optometrist, use our easy search tool here.
