PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Nearly 25 percent of children suffer from eye conditions(1) — that if not diagnosed and treated properly — can compromise their long-term eye health and can adversely affect their academic development. To help provide a solid foundation for a successful school year, Transitions Optical reminds parents to take their children to an eyecare professional for a full eye exam as part of their back-to-school checklist.
A child may experience vision problems if he or she shows signs such as difficulty seeing distant objects or reading the blackboard, or if he or she squints or sits too close to the television. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to take your child to your local eyecare professional right away and continue to schedule regular appointments for examinations each year.
“Today’s youth not only learn through traditional methods in the schoolroom, but they also learn by using computers, which are known to cause eyestrain. Children who require prescription lenses can greatly benefit from using photochromic lenses such as Transitions(R) lenses, which reduce ocular fatigue caused by prolonged computer use as well as automatically block 100 percent of UV radiation from the sun so the eyes are protected outdoors as well,” said Dr. Madeline Romeu, O.D., F.A.A.O. “Unfortunately most people spend time carefully selecting frames that are just right for them, so we regularly remind parents with the guidance of their eyecare professional to discuss which lenses are most beneficial to them as this is the aspect of eyewear that promotes quality of vision today as well as healthy sight tomorrow.”
A complete eye exam can help an eyecare professional identify some ocular conditions such as myopia (problems seeing in the distance), hypermetropia (not seeing objects up close), astigmatism (when the shape of the cornea is like an oval which diminishes vision) and strabismus or the inability of the eye to focus on an object — all of which can have an impact on a child’s ability to learn and perform in the classroom.
“In your list of back-to-school preparations, include a visit to your eyecare professional for a comprehensive examination. If your child has never had an eye exam he or she could feel afraid, but there are ways to comfort your child,” said Martha Rivera, Hispanic segment marketing manager for Transitions Optical. “For example, you could allow your child to observe as a family member gets an eye exam, this way he or she will relax knowing that it is a routine process. Also, if your child will need eyeglasses, you can point out how fun it will be to select lenses and a frame style.”
Dr. Romeu advises parents to look for the following signs and seek immediate care from an eyecare professional:
— Constantly rubs the eyes
— Shows extreme light sensitivity
— Complains about headaches
— Exhibits lack of attention in school
— Holds reading materials too close to the eyes
— Continuously squints
— Uses fingers to trace words when reading
— Has irritated or teary eyes
For more information about how to promote healthy sight today and tomorrow, visit http://www.transitions.com .
About Transitions Optical, Inc.
Transitions Optical is a joint venture of PPG Industries, Inc. and Essilor International. The first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in 1990, today the company is a leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide. Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names.
Transitions(R) lenses are the ideal everyday choice for healthy sight. They are clear indoors and at night. Outdoors, they automatically darken as light conditions change. Transitions lenses provide visual comfort, and enhance visual quality by reducing glare and enhancing contrast, helping you to see better today. Transitions lenses block 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays — helping to protect the health and wellness of your eyes — so you can see better tomorrow as well.
For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, the first to earn the American Optometric Association’s Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbers/Blockers, visit Transitions.com or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).
1) www.hap.org/eyemonth.php Topic of the Month
