As the back-to-school season approaches, parents spend hours checking off lists for school supplies, new clothes, and sports gear. However, one critical health check often falls off the radar: a comprehensive eye exam.
According to Dr. Monica Jong, Head of Medical Affairs for North America at EssilorLuxottica, back-to-school is a vital time for parents to evaluate their child’s vision.
Dr. Jong, who brings extensive experience in clinical trials, advocacy, education, and myopia management, points out an alarming trend: internal research conducted by EssilorLuxottica in 2023 revealed that one in six children has never had an eye exam throughout their entire childhood.
“Now, to me, this is astounding,” Dr. Jong says.
Detecting Vision Issues Early: The Pre-Myopia Stage
Comprehensive eye exams allow optometrists to spot the early warning signs of nearsightedness before a child’s vision begins to blur.
This early window is known as the pre-myopia stage.
During this phase, optometrists can identify subtle clinical indicators, such as a lower-than-expected hyperopic reserve for the child's age, alongside key risk factors like family history or high visual demand.
“So, for example, a six-year-old needs to have at least plus-one diopters of hyperopia,” Dr. Jong says. “If they're less than that and they're pre-myopic, they're on their way to myopia.”
Recognizing these early signals creates a valuable opportunity to monitor eye growth closely and introduce proactive lifestyle habits and treatments early.
Through timely recommendations, like increasing outdoor time, reducing prolonged close-up screen use, and establishing regular outdoor schedules, parents can help delay or mitigate the onset of myopia before it significantly impacts their child's school performance and long-term ocular health.
The Importance of Proper Glasses Fitting
If a child needs glasses or myopia control lenses, getting a proper frame fit is just as important.
When selecting eyewear, the process starts with choosing a high-quality frame tailored to the individual child.
The frame should match the width of the child's face to ensure stability and comfort without pinching or slipping down.
The vertical measurement (B dimension) of the lens area must adequately cover the eye area.
For specialized myopia control lenses, such as Stellest lenses, maintaining a minimum height of 30mm is particularly important for optimal performance and visual support.
Keep Kids Comfortable and Confident
Beyond the technical measurements, Dr. Jong adds that it is essential to remember that children are self-aware individuals who care about their appearance and comfort.
Eyewear is something they wear every single day, and if glasses are uncomfortable or unflattering, children may resist wearing them altogether.
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