How Poor Vision Can Impact Your Child At School

I grew up around optometrists and eyeglasses. Yet when my husband suggested our six-year-old son may have a vision problem, I shirked. Surely I’d notice if my child was struggling to see! Wouldn’t I? It’s often difficult for parents to tell when their children need eyeglasses. Kids don’t know that they “should” or “could” be seeing the world more clearly than they already do. It’s possible that vision screenings offered at school or the doctor’s office may miss problems like nearsightedness or astigmatism. And these vision issues can greatly impact your child at school.

There is nothing more important you can do to help your child in school than to ensure they are seeing well. Poor vision has a tremendous impact on a child’s education. Vision problems can cause issues for a child in every part of every school day.

Here are just a few examples:

Can’t See the Board

Your child may have difficulty seeing things that are far away. If their desk is positioned in the back of the class, seeing the board could be next to impossible. Teachers use the board to write assignments, write illustrations, or write out directions. Your child may suffer frustration from not being able to see or rely on this visual reminder.

Difficulty Reading

If your child can’t see well, they can’t read well. Sometimes your child will have an inability to sit still and focus, an inability to distinguish letters. They may also experience a more general struggle to read that could be related to vision problems. A child who can’t see the letters clearly may sound like a child who is struggling to learn to read, but may, actually, just be struggling to see.

Inhibits Developing Motor Skills

If your child is trying to learn or perfect motor skills, but can’t see clearly, their ability to eat properly, open their milk carton, hold a pencil or grip a ball could be affected. My husband tried to help my son perfect his baseball swing, and his inability to make contact with the ball while holding the bat was a dead giveaway of his vision challenges.

Difficulty Playing Outside

In addition to gross motor skill development challenges, a child who doesn’t see well may have a hard time playing outside. If a child’s distance vision is distorted, then the child may be reluctant to participate in sports that require seeing or watching a ball travel through a field. These children may not enjoy recess or gym class if their vision issues make participation in outdoor activities frustrating.

The best thing you can do to help your child at school is to get them a comprehensive eye exam at your closest Eyeglass World. Call today, your child’s education depends on it!