A typical back to school to-do list includes buying some new clothes and filling the school supply list of pencils, pens, notebooks, paper, etc.. What can be easily overlooked is getting an eye exam. We know how essential a comprehensive exam can be for your child's vision, eye health and learning ability, but also understands that "back-to-school" can be an overwhelming time of year.

We like to think of "back-to-school" as more of a yearly window for scheduling eye exams. Ideally, it's best to be done before the school year begins, but in the crunch of getting cloths, books, supplies and everything else before that first day, be assured you can still schedule your back-to-school eye exams within the first month of the school year.

A key reason not to put off a back-to-school eye exam is to recognize and address any vision problems early on, before they lead to learning problems and getting behind in school. This is especially critical for children up to twelve years old who accomplish 80% of all their learning through sight.

Here are a few warning signs of vision problems in children

• Loses their place while reading
• Avoids close work
• Holds reading material closer than normal
• Tends to rub his or her eyes
• Has headaches
• Turns or tilts head to use one eye only
• Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing
• Uses finger to maintain place when reading
• Omits or confuses small words when reading
• Consistently performs below potential

Some children who experience vision problems may not realize the way they see is not normal. They may not even notice that their vision is changing. In their early years a child's vision can change quickly over months so an annual eye exam is crucial to catch potential problems before they create learning challenges in school.

An unfortunate off-shoot to a learning problem is a behavior problem.   This  type of behavioural problem can be relatively easy to identify and correct.  When young children can't understand why they are unable to see well it becomes very frustrating, which often is expressed in ways that disrupt the class. 

Do not take your eyes for granted. The number of people losing their vision is growing, yet experts say much of this vision loss could be prevented.

Here are 6 quick tips for maintaining good eye health: 

1. Eat well for Good Vision
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Protecting your eyes starts with the food on your plate. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts, studies.

2. Quit Smoking

Smoking — even in your teens or twenties when your senior years seem far away – increases your future risks for cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). And the more a person smokes, the higher the risks. The good news is that after people quit smoking, their risks for these eye diseases becomes almost as low as for people who never smoked.

3. Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation, so you can keep your vision sharp and eyes healthy. A wide-brimmed hat offers great protection, too!

4. Use Safety Eyewear

If you work with hazardous or airborne materials on the job or at home, wear safety glasses or protective goggles every time. Certain sports such as ice hockey, racquetball, and lacrosse can also lead to eye injury. Wear eye protection (such as helmets with protective face masks or sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses) to shield your eyes.

5. Look Away From the Computer Screen

To reduce your risk of tiring your eyes by constantly focusing on your screen, look away from your computer at least every 20 minutes and gaze at a distant object (at least 20 feet away) for at least 20 seconds. 

6. Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly

Everyone, even young children, should get their eyes examined regularly. It helps you protect your sight and see your best. Eye exams can also find some eye diseases, such as glaucoma, that have no symptoms. It's important to find these diseases early on, when they're easier to treat.