Why Eye Exams Should Be on Your Back-to-School Checklist

As backpacks fill with fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and colorful folders, there's one essential item that often gets overlooked: a comprehensive eye exam.

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to ensure your child is set up for success—not just socially and emotionally, but visually. Clear, comfortable vision plays a major role in how children learn and experience the world around them. In fact, up to 80% of classroom learning is visual. That means reading, writing, board work, and even digital learning can all be impacted by vision problems.

Vision Issues Can Go Unnoticed

Many kids don’t realize they aren’t seeing clearly because they assume everyone sees the way they do. They might not complain about their vision, but signs like these may show up:

Frequent headaches
Squinting or rubbing their eyes
Difficulty reading or staying focused
Sitting too close to screens or holding books very close
Trouble with hand-eye coordination in sports

Sometimes, these symptoms are mistaken for attention or behavioral issues. A simple eye exam can provide clarity—literally and figuratively.

Why a Comprehensive Eye Exam Matters

While school screenings can catch basic vision problems, they don’t check for things like:

Eye teaming (how well the eyes work together)
Focusing ability
Tracking and eye movement skills
Overall eye health

A comprehensive eye exam ensures nothing is missed and gives your child the best visual foundation to thrive in school.

Digital Learning = More Eye Strain

With increased screen time in and out of the classroom, digital eye strain is becoming more common in children. We assess how your child’s eyes handle screen use and offer strategies to reduce fatigue, dryness, and discomfort.

Start the Year with Confidence

Imagine how much more confident your child could feel if they’re not struggling to see the board, read a book, or follow along in class. Vision correction or treatment at the beginning of the school year sets the tone for better focus, fewer frustrations, and improved academic performance.