If your kid has suffered a concussion, he shouldn’t go back to school until he’s had an eye exam, according to a recent study in Optometry and Vision Science. The study included kids between five and 18 with lingering symptoms 10 or more days after a concussion. Forty-six percent had issues with eyesight, like blurred vision. Academic problems were reported by 29 percent of participants.
The rate of traumatic brain injuries in kids more than doubled from 2001 to 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Experts warn it’s crucial to make sure kids and teens allow time for concussions to fully heal before returning to school or work. Most recover in seven to 10 days without complications.