For parents of school age children, this time of year is full of preparation and anticipation. It's their child's venture into a multitude of new experiences; meeting new friends, learning new things, and being introduced to a broader world. However, many parents are sending their children back to school without all the resources that will ensure they learn to the best of their ability. According to the results of the American Optometric Association's (AOA) first American Eye-Q survey, parents lack important knowledge about eye health and vision care. It revealed that parents should practice better eye care behaviors when it comes to their children and that they should take better care of their own eye health as well.

Here is a sample of some of the American Eye-Q survey results:

• 44% of parents don't realize that behavioral problems can be an indication that a child's vision is impaired.
• 47% of high school seniors have never been to an eye doctor.
• 20% of adults have never been to an eye doctor.
• Only 10% of parents adhere to eye doctors' recommendations of having an infant's eyes examined prior to their first birthday.
• 62% of Americans who do not wear correction have not been to an eye doctor in over two years.
• 60% of adults knew that diabetes and high blood pressure were detectable through an eye exam but only 23% were aware that symptoms of multiple sclerosis may also be detected through an eye exam.
• 70% of Americans mistakenly believe that carrots are the best food for their eye health when in fact it has been proven that while carrots are good for the eyes, spinach and broccoli are better foods for eye health. Eating the equivalent of a half cup of cooked spinach four to seven times per week can help protect against age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 in the United States. It would take four pounds of carrots or 17 cups of iceberg lettuce to meet the same goal.

Cockrell Eyecare Center would like the experience of "back to school" for all children to be positive and productive. One of the most important things parents can do to help their child succeed is to take them for a comprehensive eye exam. Studies show that approximately 80 percent of all learning during a child's first 12 years is obtained through their eyes. Without a comprehensive vision and eye health exam, many children that have vision problems go undiagnosed and may even be misdiagnosed as having a learning disorder. Don't allow this same mistake to be made with your children. Schedule a back to school eye exam today.

We invite you to visit this Eye to Eye section of the Sunday Stillwater NewsPress next week to learn the difference between vision screenings and vision exams. If we can answer any questions about "back to school" eye exams please contact our offices in Stillwater at 405-372-1715 or Pawnee at 918-762-2573 or check out our website at www.cockrelleyecare.com.