August is Children’s Vision & Learning Month

Governor Christie Declares August
“Children’s Vision & Learning Month”

Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez, President of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, is commending New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for recently declaring August “Children’s Vision and Learning Month.” (View the Children’s Vision & Learning Month 2013 Official Proclamation here!) The goal of this observance is to help educate parents and teachers about the critical link between good vision and effective learning.

In a letter to the editor of several NJ newspapers, Dr. Rodriguez pointed out that having a comprehensive eye exam should be just as much a part of the back-to-school routine for children as buying supplies and new school clothes. “A well-vision check that goes beyond reading an eye chart on the wall can open doors for many children, particularly those who struggle with reading or completing homework assignments” he writes.

When a child fails to progress in school, a serious learning disability or attention deficit disorder is frequently thought to blame. But the problem might be, in part, caused by a vision difficulty, not a learning one. In fact, most learning disabilities have a visual component from an uncorrected vision problem. Children with undiagnosed, untreated vision problems – sometimes mislabeled lazy or learning disabled – can experience trouble focusing between a book or electronic device and the blackboard, or controlling or coordinating eye movements. In today’s digital classroom, a student must see well to not only keep up by to excel.

As the movie clip shown below (from Will Ferrell’s Kicking and Screaming) suggests, studies show one in 4 children has an undiagnosed vision problem; early intervention is essential! Find an optometric physician in your area and make an appointment today!

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Eyecare.org will be celebrating Children’s Vision & Learning Month at two events in August:

The Lakewood BlueClaws vs. West Virginia Power
Friday, August 9, 2013 @ 7pmFirst
Energy Park – Lakewood, NJ
Purchase tickets here

The Trenton Thunder vs. Harrisburg Senators Baseball Game and 3D Fireworks!
Thursday, August 15, 2013 @ 7pm
Arm & Hammer Park – Trenton, NJ
Purchase tickets here

Join us for a night at the ball park, spectacular 3D fireworks, and other fun giveaways!