August is just around the corner, and that means school will soon be back in session. Parents everywhere are hitting the stores for all the necessary backto-school supplies. In all the hustle and bustle, the professionals at Complete Eye Care remind everyone not to overlook their eye health.
“Whether they’re starting out for the first time in kindergarten or heading back for another year, it’s a good idea for all children to get an annual eye exam,” said Dr. Jack Vontillius, O.D., at Complete Eye Care in Soddy-Daisy. “As children grow, their vision can change, so we need to monitor it from year to year.”
He added that now is the best time to get those exams, before school starts and kids find themselves having trouble. Signs of trouble with vision in children include eyes turning inward, frequent squinting or headaches when reading.
“If parents notice any of these signs or if their children start complaining about them, they need to be seen right away so they don’t fall behind in their studies,” Dr. Vontillius said, adding that when kids have growth spurts these symptoms can occur suddenly.
An eye exam for kids at Complete Eye Care begins with a friendly greeting at the door to ease their minds followed by a review of the alphabet on a standard vision chart to check their sight. Dr. Vontillius said for those who don’t know their letters yet, the practice also has picture charts, and staff can do reflex checks on the eyes for toddlers and preschoolers who may not yet be able to give verbal responses.