PRESS RELEASE                 July 25, 2008

BACK TO SCHOOL EYE EXAMS AND LEARNING
A VITAL CONNECTION

Louisville, Ky. . . . It’s a Kentucky state law that all children entering public schools for the first time must have their eyes examined by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.  A comprehensive exam is different from a screening and includes several tests; including a dilation, a visual acuity test, an ocular alignment test, binocularity, color vision testing and an evaluation of the refractive state of the eyes. 

It’s estimated that only 14 percent of children in the United States receive a comprehensive eye examination before the age of 6 years.  Yet, poor development of visual skills is the most common causes for vision and learning difficulties in school, according to the American Optometric Association. 

Prevent Blindness America recommends a continuum of eye care for children to include both vision screening and comprehensive eye examinations. The American Optometric Association also recommends that a comprehensive professional eye examination be performed by an eye doctor at age 6 months, 3 years and 5 years for all children. National studies show that many parents of infants and young children don’t understand the need for vision care at any early age – vision problems affect one in 20 preschoolers and one in four school-age children.

Some of the signs of eye programs can be squinting or sitting close of a TV or computer or holding books and other items too close to the face.  A comprehensive list of tips about potential trouble signs is listed on the following page…..

Possible signs of trouble in children include:

Behavior:
• Any tendency to squint, or move very close to the TV or computer
• Holds books too close to the face (14-15 inches is normal)
• Closes or covers one eye, favoring the other eye
• Rubs eyes excessively
• Blinks more than usual  
• Short attention span while reading
• Use of fingers to trace lines in a book
• Homework takes hours and hours when it shouldn’t
• Murmuring or silent moving of lips while reading
• Good in subjects such as math or science, but not in subjects that require a lot of reading such as history or English

Appearance:
• Crossed eyes, red-rimmed eyelids or inflamed eyes
• Recurring eye infections
• Watery eyes

Complaints:
• Eyes itch or burn
• Dizziness, headaches or nausea after working close-up
• Blurry vision, either close or far away
• Difficulty switching focus from far to near
• Frustrated and made when trying to do homework

Local optometrists are available for interviews about this topic during the months of August and September.

For more information, contact:
Pam Gersh
502-327-0407 or 419-3001
pgersh@insightbb.com
www.gershpr.com