A new state law requires vision screening for all fifth graders.
Indiana previously required vision exams in either kindergarten or first grade, followed by third grade and then again in eighth grade.
According to the American Optometric Association, 80% of a child’s learning occurs through their eyes, and 25% of school-aged children have vision problems.
Indiana Youth Institute president Bill Stanczykiewicz says students with undetected vision problems can develop a short attention span, leading to a misdiagnosis about their behavior.
He says warning signs of poor vision include sitting too close to the television, squinting, frequent eye rubbing and sensitivity to light.
In addition, parents should watch if their children experience frequent blinking or frequent headaches, hold reading materials too close to their face or often lose their place when reading.