24 - Wednesday, December 10, 1986 - North Shore News Check for eye pro! DO YOU know of a child who dislikes reading or can't seem to play very long with toys or games that require concentration on ob- jects close at hand? There is a very good chance the child has a vision problem, and in most cases the child is far-sighted, says Dr. Bill Jackson, president of the B.C. Optometric Association (BCOA). He said studies show that children who are far-sighted are much more prone to have percep- tual skili problems or delays. “‘Far-sighted children have dif- ficulty with reading or other near work caused by the extra burden placed on their accommodation system,’’ said Jackson. “The far-sighted child is notorious for passing school screenings with 20/20 vision. Since mosi learning takes place at near distances, where this child experi- ences visual stress, or fatigue, it is important that visual correction take place early, before problems begin.”’ DETECT EARLY Jackson cautioned that not all children with these difficulties are far-sighted, but a majority of them are, and can be helped. Optome- trists are concerned with early detection to help the child avoid frustration, development of a poor self-imge, and possible academic fai'ure. Because visual problems can oc- | FREE MIDWEE: lems earl cur Without parents or children be- ing aware, children should visit their optometrist annually for a complete oculo-visual assessment. If the problem is undetected, these children will experience difficulties trom their first exposure to school, with significant reading problems developing in seesnd or third grade. Ideally, an optometrist would have performed a thorough eye examination when the child was three to detect this (or any other) problem. For optimum treatment, these kinds of problems must be treated prior to school age. TREATMENT The appropriate mode of treat- ment will often be spectacles and/or vision therapy, with the resulting prescription often being a mild correction. ‘“‘Treatment will not make children any brighter,’’ said Jackson, ‘‘but it will in many cases move them quickly ahead to where they should be academically. “Results of treatment will in- dicate the extent to which vision problems are a contributing factor to learning difficulties,’’ said Jackson. Vision therapy is prescribed for conditions which cannot adequate- ly be treated with glasses or con- tact lenses alone. By reinforcing or reteaching vision skills, it improves conditions such as poor eye coor- dination and movement, lazy eye and perceptual problems. i. CAPILANO CONNECTION Ski Cypress and Grouse F ft EE all season with any regular priced purchase over $500 Perfect for those skiers who prefer skiing midweek. Effective immediately, any customer making a regular price purchase over $500 will receive a complimentary Dual Mountain Season Pass valid at both Grouse Mountain and Cypress Bowl any weekday* until 4 pm. * Pass may not be. used week of Dec. 26/86-Jan. 2/87, + 16th & Lonsdale, N. Van., 985-9161 38th & Boulevard, Kerrisdale, 266-1061 Kids Only, Granville Island, 683-6704 SuperValu fift tickets NOT VALID Dec. 26/86 to Jan. 4/87 inclusive. Midweek tickets also NOT VALID on holidays and March 16 to 20/87 inclusive. Refunds on unused SuperValu lift tickets available at SuperValu stores or Blackcomb Mountain until May 31/87. ont forget your bathing suits. . . enjoy a visit te Whistler Springs water slides $ : 00 coupons available on the back of off SUperValu ski lift tickets