13 Aug Clear Vision for a Bright School Year: August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

With a new school year already underway across East Texas, students are settling into routines of homework, projects, and extracurricular activities. But there’s one essential for success that can still be overlooked: Your child’s vision. Good eye health is critical for academic achievement, and August, recognized nationally as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, is the perfect time to make sure your child is ready to see and succeed.

Why Vision Matters in the Classroom

Being able to see clearly is a strong predictor of a child’s ability to learn. From reading assignments to participating in sports, vision affects nearly every aspect of school life. Unfortunately, uncorrected vision problems can impair development, interfere with learning, and even lead to permanent vision loss. According to national data, one in every 122 children in the U.S. has permanent vision loss, and girls experience vision loss at a rate 25% higher than boys.

The stakes are even higher for children in low-income households. The Prevent Blindness Children’s Vision Health Map shows that vision loss is closely linked to childhood poverty, with communities experiencing higher poverty rates also seeing higher rates of vision problems.

Common Childhood Vision Issues

Some of the most common conditions affecting children include:

• Myopia (nearsightedness) – difficulty seeing faraway objects

• Amblyopia (lazy eye) – reduced vision in one eye due to abnormal development

• Strabismus (crossed eyes) – eyes that are misaligned and may not work together

• Vision complications related to juvenile diabetes

• Retinopathy of prematurity – affecting some premature infants

Early detection is key. Vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams can catch these issues before they interfere with learning or cause lasting damage.

Eye Safety Beyond the Classroom

Eye health isn’t just about seeing the chalkboard, it’s also about protecting children’s eyes from injury. From the playground to the sports field, accidents can happen in a blink. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that sports and recreational activities cause thousands of eye injuries each year, many of which could be prevented with the right protective eyewear.

Digital eye strain is another growing concern. Children are spending more time on screens than ever before, both in school and at home. Following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes (look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds) can help reduce fatigue.

Tips for Parents

To set your child up for a healthy and successful school year:

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam as soon as possible if one hasn’t been done this year.

Encourage breaks from screens and limit recreational screen time.

Make protective eyewear a habit for sports and outdoor play.

Teach UV safety—sunglasses with 100% UV protection safeguard against sun damage.

Be alert to signs of vision trouble, such as squinting, sitting too close to the TV, or frequent headaches.

The East Texas Lighthouse Commitment

At East Texas Lighthouse, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest potential starting with clear, healthy vision. We are committed to raising awareness, sharing resources, and connecting families to the care they need.

This August, as your child dives into a new year of learning, remember to make their eye health a priority. It’s one of the most important school supplies they can have.

For more information and helpful resources, visit PreventBlindness.org/your-childs-sight or contact the East Texas Lighthouse to learn about local vision programs.