Hidden vision problems may follow children into the classroom: CNIB

“She wasn’t able to look at me after she was born. She couldn’t focus on my face so I honestly didn’t know what was going on or what was wrong; I just knew something was wrong,” Wudrick said.

She requested a referral for an eye exam, which resulted in her daughter being diagnosed with bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia and congenital nystagmus.

Knowing about the vision loss early allowed Wudrick to research her daughter’s needs and advocate for specialized support before she entered school. She said her daughter adapted well and has experienced few difficulties at home or in the classroom.

“Our back-to-school campaign is really an opportunity to remind families and caregivers and educators that children should have an eye exam as they return back to school,” CNIB executive director Craig Peterson said.

CNIB said up to 80 per cent of classroom learning is visual, while nearly 25 per cent of school-aged children are estimated to have vision problems.

Those problems can be difficult to recognize because children may assume what they see is normal and may not report any difficulty. The campaign also said 61 per cent of Canadian parents mistakenly believe they would know if their child had a vision problem.

Peterson said an undetected issue can create “concerns around accessing information, digital literacy, physical access in the classroom, maybe perceptions around learning abilities.”

Warning signs identified by the Canadian Association of Optometrists include squinting, excessive blinking or eye rubbing, holding objects close to the eyes, headaches, blurred or double vision, tilting the head and covering one eye.

A child may also lose their place while reading, sit too close to a television, frequently bump into objects or have difficulty tracking targets during sports. However, the absence of those signs does not necessarily mean a child’s vision is healthy.

A comprehensive eye exam assesses both vision and overall eye health. It can identify nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, strabismus, or eye misalignment, and other eye diseases or underlying health concerns.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends a first eye exam between birth and 24 months and a second comprehensive exam between the ages of 2 and 5. Annual exams are recommended from ages 6 to 19, although an optometrist may suggest more frequent appointments based on individual needs or risk factors.

CNIB said many common eye conditions are most successfully treated before age 7, making early identification important both for treatment and arranging classroom accommodations.

For Wudrick’s daughter, those accommodations include visual aids, adapted learning materials, supportive technology and help from an educational assistant.

“Having specific classroom accommodations in place, like visual aids, adapted learning materials, and supportive technology, has made standard learning fully accessible for her and boosted her confidence every day,” Wudrick said.

“Early eye exams are so critical for every child at any age, even if you don’t think they could have any vision issues.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

Hidden vision problems may follow children into the classroom: CNIB

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