Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Think About Your Eyes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
Growing up I went through two years of struggling to see what was going on in class. Although I complained that I couldn’t see the board, my parents mistook my complaints as not being able to see around other children, not paying enough attention, or just needing to find a better place to sit in the room.
The first time I visited my optometrist and was prescribed with glasses, my parents were floored. They had no idea just how poor my vision really was. Neither of them wore glasses and they didn’t understand how difficult it was for me. I couldn’t see the board, I couldn’t see my teacher’s face, I couldn’t read the clock or diagrams on the wall. As a visual learner, this was a major problem.
Approximately 80% of everything children learn comes through their eyes, yet 86% of children do not receive a comprehensive eye exam during that period.
Think About Your Eyes knew the big problem with getting children to the optometrist for regular eye exams is that parents, especially parents who have never experience visual problems of their own, don’t understand what it can be like for a child in a classroom when they can’t see. They created a VR experience for parents to see for themselves the difficulties some children are facing. The video below shows you what these parents saw and experienced through the Virtual Reality program.
With August being Eye Exam Month, Think About Your Eyes’ national public awareness campaign is promoting eye health, AND urging everyone to get annual comprehensive eye exams. Contrary to what many parents believe, the exam performed by your child’s pediatrician and the school’s annual screening event isn’t enough. It is important for your child to visit an actual optometrist who will take the extra time with them to be certain they aren’t struggling to see up close or far away.
½ of parents falsely believe only children who need glasses or contacts need to see an eye doctor.
When should you start taking your child for eye exams?
Experts say 5% to 10% of preschoolers and 25% of school-aged children have eye problems, but since children may not understand their vision is different than what it should be, they may not be able to tell you they are having trouble. Don’t wait for your child to say they aren’t seeing well. Begin regular eye exams prior to your child starting school (be it preschool, prekindergarten, or kindergarten).
Visit the Think About Your Eyes eye care professional locator to find an eye doctor near you and schedule an exam.
