National School Success Month: Get Eyes Ready for Academic Greatness
Published by on September 6, 2023
September is National School Success Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of students and teachers across the country. But as the new academic year begins, many students may face challenges in reading, writing and learning due to poor vision.
According to the American Optometric Association, 80 percent of what students learn is through their eyes, and 1 in 4 children has an undiagnosed vision problem that can interfere with their academic performance. That’s why it’s important to get your eyes and your students’ eyes ready for academic greatness by following these tips:
Wear proper eyewear.
If you need glasses or contact lenses to see clearly, make sure you wear them consistently and update your prescription as needed. Wearing outdated or ill-fitting eyewear can cause headaches, eye strain or blurred vision, which can affect your concentration and comprehension. You may also need special eyewear for certain activities, such as sports, computer use or outdoor exposure. Talk to your eye doctor about the best options for your lifestyle and needs.
Protect your eyes from digital devices.
Many students spend hours a day using digital devices for schoolwork, entertainment or socializing. But too much screen time can cause digital eye strain, which can result in dry eyes, irritation, fatigue or blurred vision.
To prevent digital eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Adjust the brightness, contrast and font size of your screen to make it easier on your eyes. You may also benefit from wearing blue light blocking glasses or filters that reduce the amount of blue light emitted by your devices.
Eat a healthy diet.
What you eat can affect your eye health as well as your overall health. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats can provide essential nutrients for your eyes, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids and lutein.
These nutrients can help prevent or delay the onset of age-related eye diseases and conditions. They can also boost your immune system and lower your risk of other chronic diseases that can affect your vision.
Get enough sleep.
Sleep is vital for your physical and mental well-being. It helps your body repair and regenerate cells and tissues, including those in your eyes. It also helps your brain process and consolidate information that you learned during the day.
Getting enough sleep can improve your memory, attention span, creativity and problem-solving skills. It can also reduce stress and enhance your mood and motivation. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night for teens and young adults.
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
A regular eye exam can detect and correct any vision problems that may affect learning, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or eye coordination issues. It can also screen for eye diseases and conditions that may not have any symptoms, such as glaucoma, cataracts or macular degeneration.
An eye exam can also reveal other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or allergies. The American Optometric Association recommends that children have their first eye exam at 6 months of age, then at 3 years old, before entering kindergarten and every year thereafter. Our sister practice, Modern Vision Solutions, specializes in Youth Eye Exams and a process called Myopia Control, in which we help young people slow the progression of their bad vision as they grow.
Consider LASIK
Modern LASIK is the most effective, one-and-done way to address common refractive errors that interfere with learning. Plus, patients who have had LASIK report better vision and higher short- and long-term satisfaction than those who wear glasses and contact lenses. Talk to a LASIK doctor at Kugler Vision to determine if you are a candidate for permanent vision correction.
As modern vision correction specialists, we at Kugler Vision are committed to serving our patients’ needs on the journey to a life free from visual barriers. Take the first step with a thorough EyeAnalysis and find out if you qualify for Modern LASIK or one of our 5 other advanced vision correction treatments. Book online at LASIKOmaha.com.
Lance Kugler, MD, is a specialist in LASIK and vision correction surgery and CEO of Kugler Vision. A proud Omaha native, he is passionate about improving lives through clear vision. Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and his practice is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Dr. Kugler is one of the original founders of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization comprised of over 350 of the world’s leading vision correction surgeons; he also served as its first president. In 2019, Dr. Kugler was selected as a TEDx speaker, and delivered a talk in Omaha about the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness and refractive solutions. Dr. Kugler is an Associate Professor of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Truhlsen Eye Institute, has been published in many medical journals, and participates in numerous clinical studies to advance the field of vision correction surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kugler is proud to be a Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Kugler and his wife are proud parents to five active kids. When he has a spare moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, travel, and fine coffee.
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