August is National Eye Exam Month

Little girl wearing Lilly Pulitzer by Kenmark/AP Photo

I know, I know.  Didn't I just write about August being National Breastfeeding Awareness Month?  But it also happens to be National Eye Exam Month and our childrens' peepers merit our full attention.  With that in mind, it's an appropriate time to emphasize the importance of eye exams for children, as their scholastic performance may be at stake.  

With the school year just around the corner, now is a good time for parents of children who are exhibiting eye trouble to take them to a local pediatric ophthalmologist.  In the Western New York area, options include Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, as well as private practice eye docs.  I was personally satisfied with the ophthalmologists at Children's Hospital, as I had to take my infant son there for an eye exam a few years ago.

Not entirely sure if little Buffy (the little girl on the right looks like she could be named Buffy) needs a pair of specs? There are a few telltale signs to look out for, including squinting, sitting too close to the television, tilting one's head and having headaches.

With academia more rigorous in elementary schools than it's ever been (first-graders are getting homework...which is preposterous...but I digress), it's crucial that children be able to have a clear view of the blackboard... Does that date me?  Maybe it's a a power point presentation.  Whatever it is they're staring at, they have to be able to see it.  

Fortunately for today's myopic munchkins, there are now a plethora of funky frames from which to choose.  There are "High School Musical Frames" and Barbie frames and those that resemble Harry Potter's.  For the existential tot, there are a variety of tortoise shell frames that would complement a nice tweed sweater with leather elbow patches.

In all seriousness, children don't realize how lucky they are to have hip glasses today.  In the fifth grade, I too did my share of squinting and also complained of frequent headaches.  One trip to the nurse's office later and I was sent home with a note instructing my mother to take me to the local optical.  

Receiving my first pair at the impressionable age of ten, I had a choice:  Homely and homelier.  I chose the latter–giant saucer shaped glasses that my mom thought were cute, but of course, I detested.  Had I only been able to choose a funky rectangular pair like those that are available today, perhaps I wouldn't have been destined to a puberty of nerdom.

That being said, National Eye Exam month is appropriately timed to bring attention to eye exams just before the start of the upcoming school year.  So mom and dad, listen up:  If your child is experiencing any eye trouble, get them to the eye doc before school starts.  It's more important than back-to-school clothing or after-school soccer practice.  Their academic success may depend on it.