#vision screening

Eye health needs to be kept in check and a regular vision screening is what helps us make sure its in its best form. Eyes are our most precious sensory organs, but we often forget to give them proper care. Excessive screen time, lack of proper nutrition and unhealthy lifestyle, all contribute to various eye conditions. Therefore, regular eye check ups must find place in your overall health check up routine. Regular vision screening will keep us informed if our eyes need any special care or medication.

Learn more about Myopia: The Global Epidemic

Myopia is a common refractive eye error that affects millions across the globe. It is also known as nearsightedness as the affected person is able to see nearby objects clearly but has difficulty seeing objects further away. As much as 52% of the world's population is projected to be developing myopia by 2050. That's a concerning figure to say the least. There are many factors that lead to myopia which include genetics, prolonged hours of close-up work, lack of proper nourishment, lack of outdoor activities and poor eye hygiene.

If you already have myopia to any degree, your focus needs to be on ensuring it does not worsen over time. Here are five things you can do starting today to protect your eyes from further deterioration.

1. Limit Screen Time

Continuous and long hours of screen time is the current reality for many professionals and students in the modern, heavily digitalized world. While digital screens cannot be avoided 100%, it's crucial to consciously take frequent breaks to allow your eyes to rest and recover. Get up from your desk, move around, stretch, look at objects far away. Taking breaks will relieve the stress eyes have to go through staring at a screen.

2. Just blink!

When we are staring at something with complete concentration, whether it’s while reading a book, working on our laptop, stitching, or playing a video game, we often forget to blink. Blinking may seem unimportant but it is our eye's mechanism to keep itself lubricated, clear dust and debris, and fight infections. So, make a conscious effort to blink.

3. Spend Time Outdoors

Research shows that reduced outdoor time increases the chances of myopia development. Outdoor time spent taking a stroll, playing sports, gardening etc. is essential for mental peace as well as eye health.

4. Take Frequent Breaks From Close Up Work

If you do a lot of closeup work such as stitching, embroidery, knitting, reading, writing or working on a computer, the importance of taking frequent breaks from work increases, as far as eye health is concerned. Follow the 20-20-20 rule of looking at something that is placed 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. Palming is another effective way of curbing vision deterioration.

5. Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly

Eye examination needs to be an essential healthcare activity. If you haven't done it in a while it's time to make an appointment to check if the eyes are in good condition or if they need a new prescription or medical attention.

EYE CARE: Why Eye Examination Matter

A lot of us ignore eye health until it's too late. Our eyes are delicate and need our love and care. They help us see the world around us and navigate it, protecting our independence and mobility. One of the many things our eyes need is an eye examination scheduled at regular intervals, and here are reasons why.

Detect eye conditions early and minimize damage

Many eye conditions can be detected during a regular eye check-up. For example myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, cataracts, AMD and glaucoma. While some eye issues such as myopia come with symptoms such as blurry vision and frequent headaches, many of them do not have any initial symptoms until the damage has gone too far.

For example, glaucoma. Unfortunately, damage done by glaucoma is irreversible, Therefore, regular eye examinations which include eye pressure test is crucial for its early detection and treatment, and to minimize vision deterioration. Early diagnosis is essential for the treatment to be more effective and to prevent permanent damage to eyesight.

Get a peak into other underlying health issues

Many don't know that an eye examination can also give information on other underlying health issues. Systemic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even an incoming stroke can be detected during a comprehensive eye examination.

For example, blurred vision could be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes, a ring around Cornea known as Corneal Arcus could be a sign of dangerously high cholesterol, and drooping eyelids can be a symptom of myasthenia gravis. This makes eye examinations an important part of the overall health care routine.

Always ensure correct prescriptions for your eyeglasses

Our eye prescription can change due to screen exposure, changes in health conditions or as a natural part of the aging process. Regular vision screening ensures that we always have the correct prescription for our eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Wearing the wrong prescription for vision correction can lead to headaches, eye strain and can even lead to further vision deterioration. If you are feeling uneasy wearing your prescription glasses and experiencing eye strain and frequent headaches, visit your optometrists for an eye test and to ensure you have the correct prescriptions on.

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Your child’s vision is one of their most important tools for learning and growth. While school vision screenings by nurses are helpful, they are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination by a licensed ophthalmologist. At Southern Eye Associates in Kennett, MO, we specialize in pediatric eye care to ensure your child’s vision develops properly and any issues are detected early.

Why School Screenings Are Not Enough

School nurses provide a basic vision check, usually focusing on visual acuity—how well your child can see at a distance. While this can identify obvious vision problems, it often misses subtle but serious eye conditions such as:

Amblyopia (lazy eye) – can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated

Strabismus (crossed eyes) – affects depth perception and coordination

Refractive errors – nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism may not always be detected

Eye health issues – such as cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal problems

These conditions require specialized testing and early intervention, which only a qualified ophthalmologist in Kennett, MO can provide.

The Benefits of Seeing a Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Comprehensive Eye Exams: Unlike a school screening, an ophthalmologist examines the full structure and health of your child’s eyes.

Early Detection of Problems: Catching eye conditions early improves outcomes and can prevent long-term vision issues.

Customized Treatment Plans: From glasses to corrective procedures, ophthalmologists create tailored solutions for your child’s needs.

Vision Development Support: Proper eye care supports academic performance, sports, and overall development.

Signs Your Child Should See an Ophthalmologist

Even if school screenings show “normal” vision, you should schedule an eye exam if your child:

Squints or tilts their head to see clearly

Complains of headaches or eye strain

Struggles with reading or schoolwork

Experiences crossed eyes or drifting eyes

Has a family history of eye disorders

Choosing the Right Eye Care Professional in Kennett, MO

When it comes to your child’s eyes, don’t rely solely on basic screenings. Southern Eye Associates offers experienced pediatric eye care in Kennett, MO. Our team of skilled ophthalmologists provides comprehensive exams, early detection of eye conditions, and personalized treatment plans.

Take Action Today! Your child’s vision deserves expert care. Schedule a pediatric eye exam with Southern Eye Associates in Kennett, MO today and ensure your child’s eyes are healthy for a lifetime of learning and growth. 📌 Visit Southern Eye Associates to book an appointment now.

Learn more about how Progressive Lenses work

Progressive lenses are vision correction lenses that are used by people who need vision correction at multiple distances. It's a single lens that combines near, intermediate and distance prescriptions, without the visible line found in bifocal lenses. They offer the convenience of seamless vision correction and are also a cosmetically appealing option. However, many first-time users might find the transition slightly uncomfortable and need some time to adjust to it.

Different zones of progressive lenses for different distance correction

At the initial stages, the wearer will have to learn to position their eyes correctly within the different lens zones for different distances. The topmost section corrects distance vision, the middle corrects intermediate vision and is suitable for tasks like computer work. The bottom section of progressive lenses is for close vision correction and used for activities like reading and knitting. The wearer will have to adjust their head and eye position depending on the task they are performing.

Tips to ease the transition

Some wearers may experience mild dizziness, peripheral distortion or trouble with depth perception when they switch to progressive lenses. However, with time and consistent usage, they overcome this challenge and adapt for a seamless experience. Here's how to make this process smoother.

Wear them consistently – Don’t switch back and forth between old glasses and progressive lenses as wearing them continuously will help your brain adapt faster.

Point your nose toward what you're looking at – This technique aligns your eyes with the right part of the lens and reduces strain.

Practice common tasks – Spend time reading, using a computer and walking around in your lenses to build confidence and visual comfort.

Be patient with the process – Adapting to progressive lenses can take a few days to a few weeks. Improvement is gradual, so don't lose patience.

Eye Conditions that Can Affect Your Vision

Vision is one of our most precious senses but it's susceptible to various conditions that can affect its quality. Here are five common eye conditions that can significantly affect vision health.

Astigmatism - This condition occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye has an irregular shape. As a result, the eye is unable to focus a point or object into a sharp focused image on the retina, causing blurry vision. Individuals with astigmatism may experience distorted vision and often struggle with both near and far vision.

Cataracts - Cataracts develop when the clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurry or cloudy vision. This condition is often associated with aging but can also result from injury, medication use, or systemic diseases like diabetes. Cataracts can progress slowly over time, eventually leading to significant vision impairment if left untreated.

Glaucoma - Glaucoma encompasses a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually due to increased pressure within the eye. It often develops gradually and without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. Glaucoma, if left untreated, may result in permanent blindness.

Macular Degeneration - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. AMD can cause a gradual loss of central vision, making it difficult to read, recognize faces, or perform tasks that require detailed vision.

Dry Eye Syndrome - Dry eye occurs when the eyes don't produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to discomfort, redness and fluctuating vision. Chronic dry eye can damage the surface of the eye and impair vision quality over time.

8 things your eyes reveal about your health

Your eye health is not just about your eyes; it can offer valuable insights into your overall well-being. The complex connection between your eyes and the rest of your body means that certain eye problems may indicate underlying health issues that would otherwise go unnoticed.

For instance, experiencing blurry vision might serve as an early warning sign of an impending stroke or uncontrolled diabetes. Yellow eyeballs could be indicative of jaundice, which often results from liver inflammation or damage. And, bloodshot eyes typically occur when delicate blood vessels in the eyes dilate due to irritation or infection, potentially leading to leakage and even a haemorrhage.

These warning signals should not be ignored, as they can be manifestations of underlying health conditions that require immediate medical attention. That's why regular eye examinations are crucial, not just to eye health, but also for gaining valuable information about your overall health. A comprehensive eye check-up can detect various potentially dangerous health problems in their early stages so that timely treatment can commence.