As the new school year approaches, many parents focus on preparing backpacks, supplies, and schedules. But one essential step often gets overlooked: a comprehensive eye exam for your child.
At SIGHT Multispecialty Center, we offer pediatric eye exams in Farmington that check more than just visual clarity. These exams look at how your child’s eyes work together, process information, and adapt to a busy classroom environment.
Why eye exams matter at the start of the school year
Did you know 80% of classroom learning is presented visually? If a child can’t see clearly, their academic performance suffers as a result. Even minor vision problems can affect reading, writing, attention, and behavior.
In the U.S., one in four children has a vision problem that requires diagnosis and treatment. A back-to-school eye exam helps uncover these hidden vision issues before they affect school performance or confidence.
Signs of vision problems in children
Many parents assume that if their child doesn’t complain about their eyesight, their vision must be fine. But children don’t always recognize when something is off. They may think it’s normal to squint at the board or avoid reading because it’s difficult.
Keep an eye out for the following signs of vision problems in children:
- Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
- Squinting or tilting the head to see better
- Complaints of headaches or eye strain
- Difficulty reading or losing their place while reading
- Avoiding close work or holding books too close
- Covering one eye or closing an eye to see better
- Poor hand-eye coordination or trouble with sports
School vision screenings vs. pediatric eye exams: What’s the difference?
Many schools offer vision screenings, which are quick checks designed to identify obvious vision problems. While they are a helpful first step, school vision screenings miss up to 75% of children with vision problems. They can also overlook more subtle but important issues, such as focusing problems, eye teaming difficulties, and early signs of eye disease.
In comparison, a comprehensive kid’s eye exam provides a complete picture of your child’s eye health and visual skills. These exams allow for early detection and treatment of problems that screenings can’t catch.
What a back-to-school eye exam includes
At SIGHT’s Farmington Multispecialty Center, we take a comprehensive approach to pediatric eye care. Our eye exams go beyond basic vision screenings to assess:
- Visual acuity: How clearly your child sees at near and far distances
- Eye teaming & tracking: How well both eyes work together, and how smoothly they follow moving objects
- Focusing ability: How easily the eyes shift focus between distances
- Depth perception and peripheral vision
- Eye health: Checking for signs of eye disease or abnormalities
A full range of pediatric eye care services in one place
At SIGHT Multispecialty Center, we offer a complete range of pediatric eye care services to support your child’s eyesight, eye health, and visual performance as they grow. Our team provides personalized care for children, addressing everything from basic vision needs to more complex visual challenges.
Our pediatric services include:
- Pediatric eye exams that assess vision, eye coordination, tracking, and overall eye health
- Myopia management using special contact lenses and prescription eye drops
- Orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses that are worn overnight to correct vision during the day and slow myopia progression
- Vision therapy to improve eye tracking, focusing, and visual processing skills
- Sports vision training to enhance reaction time, depth perception, and hand-eye coordination for young athletes
With all these services in one place, we help children see more clearly, learn more easily, and perform more confidently in everything they do.
Schedule a back-to-school eye exam today
An annual eye exam sets your child up for success, both in and out of the classroom. Whether your child needs a routine check-up or more specialized care, our team provides the tools and support they need to thrive.
To schedule your child’s next eye exam, call us at 860-231-8482, ext. 2, or complete our online appointment request form.
