Schools

Get Kids Eyes Checked Before School Begins

Got a squirmy, squinty, child? It could be the signs of a vision problem.

The new school year is nearly here. In addition to getting students , many experts suggest a trip to the eye doctor.

Students in the Northshore School District do get a basic health exam at school which includes vision and hearing screenings in grades K-3 and again in 7th grade, according to Sandie Tracy, registered nurse and health service supervisor for Northshore School District. It’s a very basic exam and Tracy recommends any student with a pre-existing health problem should see their family doctor.

Many kinds of vision problems reveal themselves most easily in behavior, posture and attitude, wrote Kathy Lambert and Dr. Mary Baker in a 2008 article. Lambert is the King County Councilmember for District 3 (which include Woodinville) and a former school teacher.

Find out what's happening in Woodinvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

She and Baker created a checklist for possible signs that a child may have vision problems.

Does the child:

Find out what's happening in Woodinvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Squint when looking up from reading?
  • Have trouble seeing the chalkboard?
  • Frequently blink or rub eyes?
  • Have headaches while doing school work?
  • Demonstrate frequently awkwardness, bumping into things, knocking things over?
  • Hold books extremely close?
  • Report that things look blurry?
  • Have trouble copying work from the chalkboard to paper?
  • Spend a long time doing homework that should take only a few minutes?
  • Experience reduced attention span, ability to concentrate for only a moderate time?
  • Cover one eye by leaning on hand?
  • Lay head on desk when doing pencil work?
  • Frequently lose place when reading?
  • Skip or re-read words and lines?
  • Reverse words or letters (was and saw, b and d) beyond second grade?
  • Do better at math than English, history or social studies?
  • Need to re-read material several times to grasp its meaning?
  • Get tired quickly when reading or doing homework?
  • Daydream a lot, or stare off into the distance frequently?
  • Learn best through auditory tactics (listening to learn)?
  • Have problems with misbehavior (to cover up poor school performance)?
  • Avoid work that includes reading or near seeing?
  • Fall more than one year behind his/her group in reading-related skills?
  • Have poor posture, slouching or slumping in chair?

District nurses will be back at schools the first week in August. Parents needing assistance with health care can find resources on the District’s website here and ParentHelp123. For students in the Lake Washington School District, check here.

The first day of school for Northshore students is Aug. 31, for students at Wilder Elementary in the Lake Washington School District, the first day of school is Sept. 6.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Woodinville