Back-to-School Vision Checks: Why Your Child's Eye Exam Is More Important Than Ever

As Sacramento families gear up for the new school year, there’s a crucial health check that often gets overlooked: the eye exam. Kaiser Permanente’s Dr. Katherine Gillett is urging parents to prioritize comprehensive vision screenings, especially as kids transition from lazy summer days to a classroom environment filled with screens and textbooks. She recommends exams at three key milestones: when a child starts school, around puberty, and before they get a driver’s license.

The consequences of skipping these exams can be significant.“Without an eye exam, vision disorders can go undetected, or worse, children can be misdiagnosed with conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia or even learning disabilities,”says Dr. Gillett. Parents should watch for telltale signs like squinting, holding reading material unusually close, or eyes that seem to wander. Increased screen time is also a major factor, as it can dry out eyes and disrupt the natural tear film, leading to blurry vision and discomfort.

With teens, the stakes are even higher.“If they are about to get their license or start practicing, I highly recommend that they get an eye exam so they are safe,”Dr. Gillett adds. Whether you live near the Capitol or out in Folsom, finding a local optometrist is easy. Have you started thinking about your child’s vision health for the upcoming school year?