Eye health and academic performance in children

Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Patras, Vasileios Kozompolis, highlights the critical link between eye health and academic performance in children. Since approximately 80% of classroom learning is visual, undiagnosed refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism can significantly hinder a student's ability to follow lessons and may lead to rapid eye fatigue.

Because young children often lack a reference point for normal vision, they rarely report seeing poorly. Instead, parents and educators must monitor behavioral signs, including leaning too close to books or screens, tilting the head, closing one eye, frequent eye rubbing, excessive tearing, or redness. In a school setting, difficulties copying from the blackboard, losing place while reading, headaches after visual tasks, or photophobia (light sensitivity) are key indicators. Additionally, even mild strabismus should be evaluated to prevent permanent issues like amblyopia.