SEMENZA BEHAVIORAL OPTOMETRY
Happy Halloween
Be Safe! Be Seen!  
We want you to have a safe and fun Halloween. Use these Halloween safety tips for a fun evening:
  • Masks obstruct vision, use makeup instead.
  • To help motorists see you, add reflective tape to the front and back of your costume.
  • To prevent tripping, use short costumes and proper sized shoes.
  • Let Mom or Dad check all your treats before you eat them.
  • Come by the office for your free Halloween safety guide and free reflective tape.
Disappointing Progress Report? Is Your Child Achieving to Potential?
The first progress report of the new school year doesn’t always give you an accurate assessment of how your child is doing. However, there are definite signs parents need to watch for that are early indicators that action is required.

The signs and symptoms that a vision problem is blocking learning are easy to see, when you know what to look for. Unfortunately, parents and educators assume that a child can see up close because the child can obviously see things in the distance – like the board in the classroom, the TV, etc. They also assume everything is fine visually because the child hasn’t complained about a vision problem.
Observing your child when studying may provide some very helpful clues. Here are some of the things to be watch for:

  • Does your child avoid reading or homework?
  • Does your child understand the materials when you read them to him/her?
  • Does your child turn their head at an angle when reading? Does comprehension get worse the longer he or she reads?

There are 17 visual skills that are required for reading and academic success, and being able to see the letters on the eye chart (20/20) is just one of those visual skills. When a child is missing one or more of these visual skills academic performance can suffer.
To find out more about the critical link between vision and learning, please visit our website or call us for an appointment.
Children with Farsightedness Struggle with Attention in the Classroom
In a recent study from the Ohio State University, there is evidence that 4 to 14 percent of preschoolers and kindergartners (5-6 years old) are farsighted (able to see far away but have trouble seeing close) which makes it harder for them to pay attention in the classroom. Because these children can see things in the distance just fine, they always pass vision screenings, leaving parents with the incorrect idea that their child’s vision is fine.
In this study 244 children were tested who had moderate farsightedness and 248 children who had normal vision. The results found that “some children were able to focus their eyes and adjust to their farsightedness, while others struggled to see close up. These children had lower scores on tests of visual attention and which can then cause them to lose ground on reading skills before they start first grade.”

Children don’t outgrow farsightedness. That means that this vision problem continues on through their education contributing to their reading, learning and attention challenges.
 
Why is visual attention so important? A study of 42 seventh graders was published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities in 2007 which showed that by testing visual attention 95.7% of poor readers were correctly identified. That means that visual attention deficits contribute to difficulty with reading.
 
Another study also published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities in 2003, showed that optometric vision therapy not only resolved visual attention problems but also improved reading skills; specifically, sixth graders with below-average reading skills improved their test scores by up to two grade levels after vision therapy. 
 
If your child struggles with reading, schedule an appointment with Dr. Christine Semenza to find out if a vision problem is contributing to your child’s difficulties.
Correct Your Vision While You Sleep
Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common vision problem, which is on the rise. In fact we are experiencing a myopia epidemic. For those who are nearsighted, objects that are farther away appear blurry. Myopia is caused by genetics and other factors such as daily close up work on a tablet, cell phone and computers.
The technology of Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) involves wearing contact lenses while you or your child sleeps. Simply put the therapeutic lenses in before bed and in the morning take them out. These therapeutic lenses gently reshape the cornea while you sleep and corrects your vision so you have clear vision all day without contacts. Below are some signs to watch for:
 
  • Needing to sit closer to see
  •  Persistent squinting
  • Holding books very close while reading
  • Seeming to be unaware of distant objects
  • Excessive blinking
  • Rubbing eyes frequently
  • Poor grades or falling behind in school
To find out more about now to have clear vision during the day without glasses, contacts or surgery, call our office for a free consultation with Dr. Thomas Semenza .
KIDS CORNER!
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Have a great Halloween!
Semenza Behavioral Optometry (860) 434-2509
drsemenza@sbcglobal.net
 www.drsemenza.com