4 EYES 4 KIDS

Frame Shopping for Children

The shape of children's faces is different from that of adults. This means they require specially adapted frames:

• The shape of the frame must take account of the specific features of children's faces.
• The face is flatter.
• The bridge of the nose is not yet fully developed.

Children's visual health is vitally important. They should be protected from the irreversible damage that the sun can cause:

• The crystalline lens in children is permeable to UVA, only becoming impermeable in adulthood.
• Damage caused by UV in childhood is cumulative and contributes to disease in adulthood.
• The retina of children and adolescents should be protected from UVA with sunlight filters.

Protection of the eyes:

• Beware of gimmick glasses!
• The frames must provide enough eye coverage to block out light entering from all sides.
• The size of the frame must be suitable for the face.
• Even lenses that are dark are not necessarily 100% UV protective.
• Tinted lenses dilate the pupil and increase the quantity of UV light reaching the retina.

Does Your Child Need An Eye Exam?

Since 2008 Illinois law requires children present proof of an eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist when the child enters kindergarten. Consider this . . . 80% of what a child learns during the first 12 years is obtained through vision. 1 in 4 children has an undiagnosed vision problem.

A comprehensive eye exam measures a number of visual skills that are critical to a child's healthy vision, including:

• Improves visual comfort
• Improves contrast and visual clarity
• Reduces eyestrain
• Allows for true perception of colors
• Reduces reflections and eliminates glare

A comprehensive eye exam measures a number of visual skills that are critical to a child's healthy vision, including:

• Using both eyes as a team
• The ability for the eyes to focus properly when reading a book or viewing a computer
• The ability for the eyes to move properly when reading across pages of print

Here are ten warning signs that may indicate your child has vision difficulties:

1. Squinting, closing or covering one eye.
2. Holding a book close to the face.
3. Losing his/her place while reading.
4. Headache, nausea or dizziness.
5. Excessive clumsiness.
6. Tilting the head to one side.
7. Frequent daydreaming.
8. Using finger as a place marker while reading.
9. Performing below potential.
10. Rubbing eyes repeatedly.

InfantSEE®: For Your Baby's Vision Future

There are many things a parent can do to care for baby’s vision health, including regular prenatal care exams, eating nutritious foods during pregnancy, and having her newborn’s eyes examined soon after birth. But did you know that you should also schedule your baby’s first optometry appointment at around 6 months of age?

InfantSEE®, developed by the American Optometric Association and The Vision Care Institute of Johnson & Johnson launched in 2005, is a public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an essential part of infant wellness care. Under this program, participating optometrists provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment between 6 and 12 months of age as a no-cost.

Visit InfantSee.com to find a local optometrist participating in this program and begin a lifetime of healthy vision for you infant today!

Mr. Hopper's 2nd Grade Class

Mr. Hopper's 2nd grade class at Irving Elementary School enjoyed the book we gifted to them, "Bailey's First Pair of Glasses". We love the colorful thank you drawing they sent to us!