Eyesight is arguably the most important sense for learning, enabling us to perceive, process and understand visual information. However, many people struggle with vision problems that can interfere with their academic performance and development.
Ways eyesight can affect learning:
Blurry vision, difficulty focusing at different distances or eye strain can make it difficult to pay attention, follow instructions, copy from the board or complete assignments.
Students with poor vision may have difficulty with hand-eye coordination, which affects the ability to perform tasks such as writing, drawing, cutting or playing sports.
Students with poor vision may have problems tracking words, recognizing letters and symbols, and adjusting focus. This can lead to skipping words or lines, losing their place, misreading words or having poor recall of what they read. They may also develop a dislike for reading or avoid it altogether.
Students with poor vision may feel insecure about their abilities, especially if they compare themselves to their peers or receive negative feedback from teachers or parents. These feelings can affect their self-image, confidence and willingness to participate in class or extracurricular activities.
It is important to detect and treat vision problems as early as possible to prevent them from affecting learning and development.
7 ways to help eyes thrive
With proper vision care and support, students can improve their eyesight and enhance their learning potential. Here are some tips on how to get your eyes ready for optimal learning.
Adjust screen brightness and contrast. A good rule of thumb is to match the brightness of your computer or tablet screen to the surrounding light. Adjust the contrast and text size to make it easier to read.
Take breaks. Give your eyes an occasional rest by doing something different, such as stretching, walking, listening to music or chatting with a friend.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps relax your eye muscles and prevent eye strain.
Blink often and use artificial tears. When you’re focused on a screen, you tend to blink less, which can dry out your eyes. Blinking helps lubricate your eyes and keep them moist. You can also use artificial tears or eye drops to soothe dry or irritated eyes.
Get enough sleep and eat well. Your eyes need rest and nutrition to function properly. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night and eat a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats. These foods contain vitamins and antioxidants that can protect your eyes from damage and disease.
Wear glasses or contacts if you need them. If you have trouble seeing clearly, you might squint or strain your eyes, which can cause headaches and fatigue. Make sure you have the right prescription glasses or contacts prescription and wear them as directed by your eye doctor.
Consider LASIK. LASIK can correct vision problems in college students and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. LASIK can improve academic performance by enhancing visual acuity, reducing eye strain and fatigue, and increasing confidence and self-esteem.
LASIK is a safe and effective procedure that has been performed for more than two decades and has a high satisfaction rate among patients. If you are interested in LASIK, take the quick LASIK Self-Test to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery.
Missouri Eye Institute has helped thousands of patients attain freedom from glasses and contact lenses. Contact us at (800) 383-3831 to schedule a thorough eye exam or visit MissouriEye.com to learn more about our services.
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