Pittwater Life March 2019 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Why a kid’s first ‘test’ of
the year should be eyes
The Optometrist Association
urges parents to add an
eye test to their school checklist,
because as screen time
increases, and visual demands
in the classroom become
more complex, eye examinations
for children become
more important than ever.
With the beginning of
another school year it’s crucial
that awareness is raised about
the critical role a child’s eyes
play in their school life: from
reading, writing, sports activities
to computer use.
More often than not,
children themselves won’t
identify that there is anything
wrong with their vision
as they assume their vision
is just like everyone else’s.
That’s why Beckenham
Optometrist urges parents
to bring their kids in before
they start school and every
two years thereafter, to give
us the best chance to pick up
vision problems early.
An astounding one in five
children suffers from an
undetected vision problem;
however the research shows
a sharp decline in optometric
services to children of all ages
up to 14.
This trend is alarming
because vision is responsible
for 80% of all learning in a
child’s first 12 years. Poor
vision can interfere with your
child’s ability to learn both in
and out of the classroom, and
can also stunt their emotional
and social development. Seeing
all school age children
on a regular basis means we
can ensure their visual system
is functioning optimally for
learning.
Some of key signs and
symptoms of vision problems
include:
n One eye turns in or out
while the other points
straight ahead;
with Rowena Beckenham
n Frequent blinking;
n Red or watery eyes;
n Sensitivity to light;
n Frequently rubbing eyes;
n Difficulty concentrating;
n Tilting head noticeably;
n Covering or closing one eye;
n Difficulty learning to read;
n Holding a book very close
when reading;
n Leaving out confusing
words when reading;
n Squinting or sitting very
close when watching television;
n Difficulty recognising familiar
people in the distance; and
n Complaints of headaches,
blurred or double vision
*About us: Beckenham Optometrist
takes a holistic and
extensive approach to an eye
examination, including advice
on health, diet and lifestyle
and the latest eyewear solutions
for maintaining healthy
eyes and vision. We have been
operating in Avalon for 20
years and the team remain
passionate about delivering
the best possible eye care to
our community.
Comment supplied by Rowena Beckenham, of
Beckenham Optometrist in Avalon (9918 0616). Rowena
has been involved in all facets of independent private
practice optometry in Avalon for 20 years, in addition
to working as a consultant to the optometric and
pharmaceutical industry, and regularly volunteering in
Aboriginal eyecare programs in regional NSW.
46 MARCH 2019
The Local Voice Since 1991