As a parent, you trust your child’s school to keep you informed—especially about their health. So when your child passes their annual school vision screening, it feels like a win. But here’s the truth: school vision screenings are not comprehensive exams, and they often miss the very issues that impact learning, focus, and behavior.
At Navigation Eye Care in Chesapeake, we help families go beyond the basics to ensure their children get the full picture of their vision health.
Screening vs. Comprehensive Exams
Let’s break it down. A school vision screening is like a quick glance. It usually checks for distance clarity (can your child read the board?), and that’s about it. It’s helpful—but far from complete.
A comprehensive eye exam, on the other hand, includes:
- Visual acuity
- Eye teaming and tracking
- Depth perception
- Near vision (critical for reading and homework)
- Eye health and development
These are things a school screening simply cannot detect. Just because a child can see the board doesn’t mean they can comfortably read a book, focus for 20 minutes, or follow lines of text without strain.
Missed Diagnoses in School
Many vision problems fly under the radar because they don’t show up on a standard eye chart. Children with these undetected issues may:
- Avoid reading or struggle to stay focused
- Complain of headaches or tired eyes
- Act out or become frustrated in the classroom
- Get labeled as inattentive or behind academically
We’ve seen it happen far too often. A child is told they “see fine” when in reality they are dealing with convergence insufficiency, focusing delays, or early signs of myopia that affect how they learn and interact with the world.
That’s why school vision screenings should never replace a full exam with an optometrist who knows what to look for.
How Parents Can Advocate for Better Vision Care
If you’re a parent reading this, you’re already doing something powerful—getting informed. And you can take the next step with confidence.
Here’s how to ensure your child gets what they need:
- Schedule a pediatric eye exam even if your child passed a school screening.
- Watch for subtle signs like squinting, rubbing eyes, avoiding close-up work, or poor reading stamina.
- Ask your eye doctor about vision therapy or myopia control if your child needs extra support.
- Share what you learn with other parents, teachers, or school staff to spread awareness.
At Navigation Eye Care, we make it easy to fit an exam into your schedule—and we make it fun for kids, too.
Navigation Eye Care: Here for Your Child’s Vision
We’re not here to replace school screenings—we’re here to complete the story. At Navigation Eye Care, our pediatric exams are gentle, thorough, and tailored to meet the real needs of growing eyes.
If your child is struggling in school or you just want peace of mind, don’t wait. A full exam may reveal what a school screening missed—and it could make all the difference in your child’s confidence, learning, and overall happiness.
Schedule a Pediatric Eye Exam Today
School vision screenings have their place, but your child deserves more. Book a full pediatric eye exam at Navigation Eye Care in Chesapeake today.
Call now or schedule online. Let’s make sure your child sees—and succeeds—the way they were meant to.