News Release Archive Office of External Affairs August news tips
from the UT Health Science Center SEEING THE BLACKBOARD . . . As
the first weeks of school unfold, parents of children in the
primary grades should pay close attention for signs of vision
problems. "Some children don't know they're not seeing well,
because what they see is normal to them," said John Mumma, M.D.,
clinical professor of ophthalmology at the Health Science Center
and ophthalmologist in private practice. "Ninety-five percent of
schoolchildren don't need complete eye exams because they don't
need any correction, but other children who pass a screening at
school may be affected by farsightedness, astigmatism,
nearsightedness or a muscle imbalance. Children who are
farsighted can still see 20-20, but they have to work harder to
do it. They may tire while reading. Astigmatism warps vision,
causing children to see some letters and not others. Youngsters
with astigmatism and nearsightedness can squint their eyes and
see better. We rely on