How Glasses Can Help Improve Your Child’s Grades

Untreated refractive errors are the leading cause of vision impairment in children across the US. Studies from the National Institutes of Health also show that pediatric nearsightedness is on the rise, with 36% of US youth experiencing myopia. Some of the significant risk factors that contribute to the growing number of refractive errors among children include increased screen time, a lack of exposure to sunlight, and excessive near work. In line with this, a report from Artisan Pediatric Eyecare reveals that around 1 in 4 American children have undetected vision problems. When left untreated, this can impact children’s learning abilities and could lead to poor academic performance in the long run. As such, it’s important to understand how poor eyesight affects children and how glasses provide the proper interventions they need to do better at school.

Effects of Poor Eyesight on School Performance

Overlooking vision problems in children significantly impacts their ability to learn effectively. Children’s vision problems make it difficult for them to stay engaged during school, as they cannot see the whiteboard clearly or suffer from headaches and fatigue while reading. This hinders them from learning study materials properly and can also lead to difficulty concentrating, a lack of self-confidence, and poor academic performance. One of the most common ways to address vision problems in children is by undergoing regular screening for their eyes since this can determine if a child suffers from refractive errors such as astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia. From there, a doctor can prescribe a child with prescription glasses to address vision concerns.

How Glasses Can Help

Generally, glasses are prescribed to correct refractive errors and help the eyes focus better to achieve clearer vision. But for children, wearing glasses can also improve their overall learning abilities. Here, we list some of the ways glasses help support better academic performance for children.

Improves Academic Skills

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University reveal that a lot of learning skills acquired in school depend on the visual system to process information properly, thus highlighting the importance of having a clear vision for good academic performance. In fact, their study found that students who receive proper prescription eyeglasses for their refractive errors significantly improved their math and reading skills. Moreover, wearing glasses prevents inattentiveness and difficulty with concentrating. With prescription glasses providing clearer vision, students are better able to process visual information, engage properly with learning materials, and follow lesson plans accordingly. This further supports their well-being for optimal conditions that allow them to learn effectively and improve their skills.

Ensures Visual Comfort

The use of education technology applications has become popular among teachers and students alike. These programs are easily accessible, let students learn at their own pace, and help teachers conveniently make the right lesson plans. However, online learning also makes children increasingly reliant on their personal devices for studying. This leaves them vulnerable to prolonged screen time and blue light exposure that can lead to digital eye strain. This is where blue light glasses can help. These are fitted with HMAR/UV multi-layer and anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare. Specialty lenses like KODAK UVBlue are also scratch-resistant and water-repellent and provide increased contrast when looking at digital screens. These are durable enough to withstand clumsy handling and can prevent squinting and reduce the risk of digital eye strain, making them more comfortable to wear during long study periods. Existing prescription glasses can even be upgraded to include blue light filters so children’s vision can be simultaneously corrected and protected for effective learning.

Decreases the Progression of Refractive Errors

Myopia is the leading refractive error among children. Addressing the condition is vital: it is progressive by nature and can develop into severe myopia, retinal detachments, and myopic maculopathy as they enter adulthood. The progression of such conditions not only affects eye health but can also impact a child’s lifestyle. Blurred vision due to complications like myopia can limit their ability to perform visual-heavy functions like reading and writing. Wearing specialized glasses can help reduce myopia progression and combat the effects of the condition on children. This helps them achieve good academic performance at school, as they are not hindered by the effects of a worsening vision condition and are protected against headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms of eye strain that occur when vision issues remain unaddressed.