A child's vision first develops in the womb and continues to develop throughout childhood and adolescence. Your child's vision plays a critical role in their learning and overall well-being, helping your child to read, write, do math, and develop important motor skills. Vision problems can affect a child's school performance and behavior and when left untreated can prevent them from reaching their full potential.
A child's vision can change quickly. As a parent, you may not notice these changes and children generally don't realize they are experiencing vision problems because they assume everyone sees the same way they do.
The best way to ensure your child's eyes are developing correctly is by scheduling regular comprehensive eye exams. An eye doctor has specialized tools and equipment to check for common childhood visual problems in children such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness).
The signs of vision problems in kids are not always obvious. However, some signs might indicate your child is having problems with their vision.
Here are a few signs to watch for:
Frequent Headaches - Your child may complain of frequent or unexplained headaches, especially at the end of the day. Headaches are often due to eye strain which can occur if you have an eye muscle imbalance or if your brain is compensating for blurry vision.
Tilting Head to One Side - If your child is tilting their head to one side it may be a sign that their vision is better in one eye than the other. They may be adjusting the angle of their vision to try to increase clarity.
Squinting - Squinting can be a way to temporarily improve vision. People typically squint in response to bright light but squinting can also be an effort to focus on objects, making them appear clearer.
Frequent Blinking - There are many causes for frequent blinking and it's not always serious. Excessive blinking might be due to allergies or other irritants such as a foreign object stuck in the eye. However, frequent blinking could also be a sign of an eye misalignment or uncorrected refractive errors.
Dizziness or Nausea - Dizziness may be a symptom of poor vision. When the eyes are misaligned, the brain gets different signals or images from each eye, producing a double image. The brain works to make sense of this double image to create a clear picture but it puts the eye muscles under extra stress. This could lead to dizziness, nausea, or light-headedness in your child.
Sitting too Close to the TV or Books - While it's a myth that sitting too close to the TV can damage your eyes, it could be a sign of nearsightedness. If your child sits very close to the television when watching their favorite show or holds their book very close to their face, it could be because they struggle to see from a distance.
Behavior Changes - There are many ways that vision problems lead to behavior issues in children. Children with poor vision might have trouble focusing or performing tasks like reading and writing. This can often lead to frustration, a short attention span, and loss of self-esteem, causing them to act out or be disruptive. Children may have difficulty participating in activities that other kids enjoy. Visual issues that cause physical discomfort can cause a child to become irritable and cranky. These behavior issues are often misdiagnosed as ADHD or other learning disabilities. You should see an eye doctor if you suspect a behavioral issue is actually a vision problem.
Loses Place When Reading - If your child frequently loses their place or skips lines when reading, this could be an eye-tracking issue, causing difficulty with smooth eye movements. You may notice your child puts their finger on the page and moves it along as they read. This helps them keep their place if their eyes have difficulty tracking the words on the page.
Rubbing Eyes - If you catch your child occasionally rubbing their eyes, this might not always be a cause for concern. They may simply be tired or have been exposed to allergens. However, frequent eye rubbing can be a sign of a vision problem. Eye strain is a common result of visual issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. This strain could be causing your child's eyes to feel tired or sore, which can lead to rubbing.
Sensitivity to Light - Light Sensitivity, known as photophobia, can be a symptom of several eye conditions.
If you, as a parent, notice any of these signs in your child that you believe might be vision-related, don't hesitate to call your eye doctor. Early detection and diagnosis of vision problems are key to effective treatment for your child. The best way to diagnose vision problems is through regular comprehensive eye exams. To book an exam, contact us today at Prairie Eye Care.
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