According to experts, 83 percent of success in the learning process is related to vision. In Turkey, one in three children has a vision disorder, and if not detected early, these conditions may permanently affect both academic performance and eye health.

Experts emphasize that a decline in academic performance in children should not always be attributed to learning difficulties. Associate Professor Osman Bulut Ocak, an ophthalmologist at Dünyagöz Etiler Hospital, states that one in three children in Turkey has either distance or near vision problems. Many children fall behind in school not because of learning deficiencies, but because they cannot see clearly. Vision accounts for 83 percent of the learning process. If vision disorders are not detected early, permanent problems such as amblyopia, which becomes more difficult to treat in later years, may develop. Regular eye examinations during school age are therefore of great importance.

The most common eye problems in children include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, strabismus, and amblyopia. Warning signs for families include difficulty seeing the board clearly, skipping lines while reading, squinting, sitting too close to the television, frequent eye rubbing, headaches, and fatigue during study sessions. Digital screen use also negatively affects eye health. Spending extended periods in front of tablets, smartphones, and computers may cause eye strain, dryness, and latent ocular deviations. Screen time should not exceed one hour per day for children up to age five and should be limited to 1.5 to 2 hours for children aged seven and older.

Healthy vision is one of the cornerstones of academic success. Children should undergo regular eye examinations both before starting school and throughout their education. Even a simple vision screening during the educational process can help a child begin school life with greater confidence and stronger performance. Experts recommend at least one comprehensive eye examination per year as the most effective preventive measure.

February 2026