Almost 80 percent of what a child learns in school is presented visually. It stands to reason then, that good vision is essential to learning. Yet studies show only 31 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 16 have an annual eye exam, according to Dr. Susan Lee. And 70 percent of children under 6 years of age, the age at which most vision problems can be treated before permanent damage occurs, have never had an eye exam.

“Some 20 million children will go back to school this year with a vision problem that may interfere with their ability to learn and may contribute to disciplinary problems,” Dr. Susan Lee said.

But what about “Vision Screenings” performed at your child’s school? Won’t they detect vision problems? Only partially, says Lee, “According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, those vision-screening methods detected only 40 to 65 percent of children with vision problems,” Dr. Lee said.

“Every child should have a

comprehensive eye health examination,” Lee said. “Even if a child has passed a vision screening, a comprehensive exam can reveal problems that would go undetected in a screening. And if a vision problem is detected, your family eye doctor can begin treatment immediately.”

Drs. Susan and Perry Lee own and practice at Lake Oconee Eye Care located at 1051-A Park Drive in Greensboro and are members of Vision Source, the nation’s number one network of private practice optometrists.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (706) 453-4535 or visit www.lakeoconeeeyecare.com.