Recently, a family brought in their eight-year-old son, worried he was falling behind in reading. He’d been squinting at the board and getting frequent headaches during homework. A comprehensive eye exam at Tiverton Eyecare revealed he had uncorrected farsightedness. With glasses, his reading skills improved dramatically — and so did his confidence.
Stories like his remind us that many vision problems can go unnoticed, silently interfering with learning and behavior. Let’s explore why back-to-school eye exams matter and how they help children thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Understanding Children’s Vision and School Success
Children’s eyes grow and change quickly, especially during early school years. Vision affects how kids read, write, play sports, and engage socially. Yet many children think blurry or strained vision is normal — because it’s all they’ve ever known.
At Tiverton Eyecare, we want parents in Tiverton and surrounding communities to know that a standard school vision screening isn’t enough. Screenings often miss subtle issues like eye teaming problems, focusing difficulties, or mild prescriptions that can still impact learning.
Common Vision Problems in School-Age Children
Some of the most frequent vision challenges we diagnose in children include:
- Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Can make reading up close tiring and lead to headaches.
- Nearsightedness (Myopia): Blurs distance vision, making it hard to see the board.
- Astigmatism: Distorts vision at all distances and can cause eye strain.
- Eye teaming issues: Eyes don’t work smoothly together, causing double vision or skipping lines while reading.
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): One eye doesn’t develop normal vision, often without obvious signs.
- Strabismus (Eye Turn): Misaligned eyes affecting depth perception and comfort.
These conditions can affect schoolwork, sports performance, and even social confidence — but they’re often treatable when caught early.
Signs Your Child Might Need an Eye Exam
Children rarely complain about vision because they assume everyone sees the world as they do. Watch for signs like:
- Squinting or covering one eye
- Frequent headaches or eye rubbing
- Difficulty reading or losing place in text
- Short attention span for near tasks
- Sitting very close to the TV or holding books too close
- Avoiding activities that require visual focus
Even without symptoms, children should have regular eye exams to catch subtle issues before they disrupt learning.
Why Now is the Perfect Time for an Exam
Back-to-school season is the perfect opportunity for a comprehensive eye exam. It ensures your child starts the year with sharp vision and the tools they need to succeed.
At Tiverton Eyecare, Dr. Boivin makes pediatric eye exams comfortable and thorough, using gentle, age-appropriate testing to check:
- Visual acuity (clarity of sight)
- Eye focusing and tracking
- Depth perception and binocular vision
- Eye health inside and out
A simple exam can reveal hidden vision issues that, once treated, can transform how your child learns and interacts at school.
How Tiverton Eyecare Helps Keep Kids’ Vision Sharp
At Tiverton Eyecare, we’re passionate about giving children a clear start to every school year. Here’s how we support families in Tiverton and beyond:
Comprehensive Pediatric Eye Exams
Our exams are tailored for children of all ages, from age five and up. We check for more than just whether your child needs glasses — we evaluate how their eyes work together and how efficiently they focus.
Personalized Solutions
If glasses are needed, we help you choose frames that are durable, comfortable, and kid-approved. We also offer specialty lenses to reduce eye strain for kids using digital devices for schoolwork.
Tips for Ongoing Eye Health
We educate parents on protecting children’s vision, including:
- Limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor play
- Watching for signs of eye strain
- Ensuring children wear protective eyewear during sports
- Scheduling regular exams even if no symptoms appear
Healthy vision is an investment in your child’s academic and social confidence.
Give Your Child a Clear Start with Tiverton Eyecare
Good vision can make all the difference in your child’s learning and happiness. At Tiverton Eyecare, we’re dedicated to helping kids in Tiverton, Little Compton, and the surrounding communities start the school year ready to see, learn, and thrive.
Don’t wait for vision problems to hold your child back. Book a back-to-school eye exam with Dr. Boivin and the team and give your child the gift of clear sight for the year ahead.