Children’s eye health at school: Tips for parents & teachers
Considering that up to 80% of classroom learning is visual, helping children see well is a key part of setting them up for success in school and beyond. Explore these practical tips for parents and teachers, including setting up a vision-friendly space, establishing healthy screen time habits, and promoting eye health.
Key takeaways
- Clear vision is important for childhood development
Visual learning accounts for up to 80% of a child's education, making healthy eyes essential for academic success - Regular eye exams are important
The subpar vision screenings that schools often provide can miss up to 75% of children with vision problems—yearly comprehensive eye exams are recommended - Some nearsightedness (myopia) is preventable
More time outdoors and less time focusing on nearby objects like books and smartphones may help prevent or slow the onset of myopia - There are warning signs to look out for
Warning signs of vision problems in children may include headaches, squinting, and behavioral changes like acting out in class - Lifestyle changes can help keep vision healthy
A vision-friendly environment and healthy screen time habits can help prevent digital eye strain in students
Setting your students up for success, starting with their eyes
As parents and teachers, it is all about giving children the things they need to have a fun and successful school year. One important and often underrated aspect of this is their eye health. Healthy vision is the foundation of a student's ability to read, write, participate in sports, and interact confidently with their peers. As Stanford University professor and development economist Scott Rozelle states, correcting vision "is the single most effective health intervention when it comes to improving academic performance." This is supported by the finding that 80% of what children learn in the classroom comes from visuals. By following these simple tips, parents and teachers can help promote children's eye health and a supportive learning environment.
The importance of vision in the classroom
“Correcting vision...is the single most effective health intervention when it comes to improving academic performance"
Student eye health tips for parents and teachers
1. Schedule regular eye exams
Regular, comprehensive eye exams are the most reliable way to find out if a child has vision issues and get a plan of action from a professional before poor vision impacts grades, behavior, and more.
Comprehensive eye exams are different than vision screenings
A comprehensive eye exam includes a complete eye health evaluation, measurements of the curvature of the cornea, refraction testing to see if your eyes are focusing properly, and more. The vision screening typically done at school is only capable of detecting certain kinds of vision issues, and it is reported that sub-standard vision screenings that schools often offer can miss up to 75% of children with vision problems.
Yearly comprehensive exams are recommended for school-aged children
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that school-aged children receive an eye exam every year before heading back to the classroom. Vision problems can develop as a child grows and kids who cannot see well may get bored, act out, and could even be misdiagnosed with learning or behavioral disorders.
2. Get ahead of myopia onset or progression
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is growing at an alarming rate among school-aged children. Thankfully, modern eye care offers effective myopia management strategies that do more than just correct blurry vision—some approaches may actually slow down the progression of the condition. Depending on the child's specific needs, an eye doctor might recommend specialized contact lenses, such as orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, or soft multifocal contact lenses worn during the day. Managing myopia early may help protect children from severe eye health complications in adulthood, like retinal detachment and glaucoma.
How to help reduce the likelihood of myopia development
Once a child develops myopia, it’s very likely to worsen as they grow, resulting in the need for higher and higher prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. Simple lifestyle changes may help decrease the likelihood they’ll develop myopia.
- More time outdoors
Research shows that spending at least two hours per day outdoors can help reduce myopia onset or slow its progression - Less near work
Reducing the amount of time spent on near work (e.g. reading, tablets) outside of school can help reduce myopia onset - The 20-20-20 rule
Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds when doing near work activities like reading, screentime, or homework
3. Watch for warning signs of vision problems
Warning signs of vision problems in children include behavioral changes, physical complaints like headaches, and visual compensations like squinting or closing one eye. Sometimes, it can be difficult to spot the signs of eye issues, especially since children often do not realize their vision is abnormal. Some things to look out for include:
- Frequent headaches
- Squinting
- Rubbing eyes
- Tilting the head to one side to see better
Teachers might notice a student losing their place while reading, avoiding close work, or struggling to copy notes from the board. If you notice any of these concerns, consult an eye doctor immediately.
4. Create a vision-friendly environment
“Vision-friendly” means proper lighting, ergonomic seating, and correct screen distances to reduce eye strain and support comfortable learning.
- Comfortable lighting is a top priority
Lighting that is too bright can strain the eyes, as can lighting that is too dim. Position desk lamps so they illuminate the desk without reflecting off computer screens. The same goes for screen brightness if the student is using a digital device. Try to match the brightness to the surroundings so the eyes do not have to constantly adjust. - Set a proper reading distance
Computer screens should be viewed from at least twenty inches away, positioned slightly below eye level so the student looks slightly downward.
5. Protect their eyes
Proper eye protection involves using ultraviolet (UV) blocking sunglasses outdoors and impact-resistant goggles during sports to prevent acute injuries and long-term damage.
Provide sunglasses
When students play outside, such as during recess or weekend outings, encourage wearing sunglasses to shield their eyes from harmful UV rays. UV exposure can have cumulative effects, increasing the risk of cataracts and other eye conditions later in life. Look for sunglasses that block ninety-nine to one hundred percent of both UVA and UVB rays.
Gear up during sports
Polycarbonate lenses are highly recommended for sports goggles because they are impact-resistant and provide excellent protection against fast-moving balls, elbows, and equipment.
When should parents schedule their child’s eye exam?
AOA recommends a comprehensive eye exam before the start of every school year. A comprehensive eye exam is much more extensive than an annual vision screening at school and can detect the early signs of myopia as well as more than 270 systemic and chronic diseases. Get one scheduled and make sure your student is prepared for a successful, vibrant school year.
Frequently asked questions
A school vision screening is a basic test that primarily checks distance vision using an eye chart. A comprehensive eye exam, performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, evaluates the overall health of the eye, eye coordination, focusing ability, and detects diseases that a simple screening will miss.
While previously, recommendations were typically to see an eye doctor every two years, school-age children are now recommended to get an in-person comprehensive eye exam every year. Certain vision conditions like myopia require more consistent monitoring and treatment.
A school vision screening tests for basic vision problems like strong nearsightedness or farsightedness, but can miss many vision issues. A regular comprehensive eye exam checks the health of the eyes and includes a thorough examination of vision using precise tools, and it’s at these exams that an eye doctor can prescribe treatments like glasses or contacts.
Some common “tells” that a child is struggling to see at school are recurring headaches, squinting to see the board, rubbing their eyes, and tilting their head to see better. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, reach out to your eye doctor to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a condition where the eye grows too long or the cornea or lens in the eye is too curved, leading to blurry vision when looking at things that are far away. While it can’t always be prevented, certain measures can help slow or delay its progression. This may include prescription vision correction like special contact lenses, or at-home routines like more time outside and less time focusing on close-up things like homework and smartphones.
Research shows that spending at least two hours per day outdoors can help reduce myopia onset or slow its progression.
Students with vision impairments may need a variety of accommodations, depending on the level of their impairment. Accommodations may include using large print, audio options, assistive devices, and more.
You should take your child to see an eye care professional according to the routine schedule recommended by the American Optometric Association (AOA), and anytime you have a concern about your child’s eye health.
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The information provided on this page and across the entire Acuvue.com experience is designed to offer educational insights into eye health, referencing expert advice from reputable medical and government organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the National Eye Institute. While we research, report, and review the content on Acuvue.com and its extended social media to deliver accurate and up-to-date vision, vision care, and vision correction information, we do not make any assurances, and content accessed on or through Acuvue.com and its extended social media is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any eye conditions or health issues. This brings us to our #1 eye health tip: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and care.
