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Back To School: Virtual Classrooms and Your Child’s Vision

Vision Care & Optical Store - Giddens Optometry

Vision Care & Optical Store - Giddens Optometry

For many children and their parents, “back to school” is taking on a whole new meaning this year. Instead of purchasing new backpacks for their children, parents may be shopping for computers or a new set of headphones to help their children learn their lessons online. As more schools switch over to virtual classrooms, children will be spending even more time in front of screens as a part of their curriculum.

A comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Ben Giddens can help ensure that your child’s eyes and vision are ready for the new scholastic year.

Why Schedule an Eye Exam Before the New School Year?

Keep Up With Your Child’s Eye Development

From ages 6 to 18, a child’s vision can change frequently and unexpectedly. The American Optometric Association recommends that children between the ages of 6 and 17 have annual eye exams, or as recommended by their optometrists, to ensure that their vision is developing normally.

If your child already wears glasses to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, an eye exam can determine whether their current prescription is offering them the clearest vision, or if their prescription has changed.

Eye exams are also important for children who complain of occasional or persistent headaches, because vision problems are often the source. Additionally, many children experience eye strain when performing visual tasks, a problem that can be solved with prescription glasses

Prepare Your Child for Optimal Learning

A whopping 80% of learning is vision-based. Reading, writing, computer research, and extracurricular activities all require excellent visual processing skills. Even slight, undetected vision problems can negatively impact academic achievement and make schoolwork difficult. Only an eye doctor can detect and diagnose these visual and eye health issues and offer the best solutions. Bring your child in for an eye exam to make sure that their vision won’t be holding them back from success.

Safeguard Your Child’s Eye Health

As our children spend more and more time on computers, tablets and cell phones, it’s important to educate ourselves and our children on how to maintain eye health with increased screen time. Digital eye strain, a group of symptoms that accompanies excessive screen use, can be minimized or avoided by following certain guidelines. Dr. Ben Giddens can advise you on how to care for your child’s eyes and prevent uncomfortable visual symptoms such as eye strain and headaches.

Contact Us To Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam

In this era of virtual classrooms, eye care couldn’t be more relevant. Dr. Ben Giddens and the caring staff at Giddens Optometry will help your child kick-off the new school year with a comprehensive eye exam.

If glasses are called for, we offer a wide range of frames in a variety of styles and colors to give your child the confidence-boost they’ll want to start off the school year.

Giddens Optometry provides optical services to young patients from all over the Ontario area, so book an appointment today!

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a3ef93d0 34de 453f b5f4 5ffd895a5f85 (1)A Letter from Dr. Ben Giddens

Hello friends, I have retired!

I had 37 years of good fun in Georgetown and loved the gift of meeting so many warm and friendly people! I am very sorry that I didn’t have the time to chat with everyone about my exact plans, and felt guilty over that at times. It was not an easy task. If anyone wants, or needs to contact me, please send an email to my office and I will reply.

I am 66 years old and still feel like I am in good health. My wife died of cancer in 2021 but I have good friends and family and a fun life. I recently moved back to Toronto which is where I grew up as a teenager. I have an active outdoor life and have many ski trips and travel plans in front of me. Lots of interests and activities to explore with an overriding sense that I am a lucky guy. I am also a grandfather now.

I have always tried to employ staff and optometrists who have a heart. I think that is where the office is at today and I hope it continues. Everyone knows their work, and the heart matters.

Ben.