6 Signs of Vision Problems in Children
As the busy summer months are coming to a close and back-to-school is just around the corner, it’s a good time for parents to pay closer attention to their child’s eyes. August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, and at Atlantic Eye we want to remind parents that eye health affects your child’s development and academic performance. Too often, vision problems may be overlooked until they become severe. Keep in mind that early detection is key to preventing long-term issues and helping children reach their full potential.
Call us at Atlantic Eye if you notice any of these signs or behavioral changes:
1. Frequent Squinting or Closing One Eye: If your child often squints or closes one eye to see better, it could indicate issues like refractive errors or astigmatism.
2. Head Tilting or Turning: A child may tilt or turn their head to use one eye more effectively, possibly signaling that they have poor vision in one eye. This behavior could also be because your child’s eyes are misaligned, known as strabismus. For more on this condition see our previous blog, https://atlanticeye.com/2024/08/stephen-nedoroscik-the-olympic-pommel-horse-guy-bringing-awareness-to-strabismus-what-exactly-is-it/
3. Sitting Too Close to the TV or Holding Books Close: These behaviors can suggest nearsightedness (myopia) or other focusing problems.
4. Eye Rubbing or Tearing: Constant rubbing or watering eyes can be a symptom of eye strain, dryness, or allergies but also more serious underlying conditions.
5. Difficulty with School Work: Struggling in school, avoiding reading, or losing their place while reading can be related to undiagnosed vision problems.
6. Persistent Eye Pain or Redness: Ongoing eye discomfort or redness should never be ignored, as they might indicate infections or other serious issues.
The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Healthy vision is not just crucial for academic success but also for enhancing the quality of life, peer interactions, and confidence in the world your child explores. Newborns should have their eyes checked before leaving the hospital, and pediatricians and sometimes schools often conduct preliminary eye screenings, but not comprehensive eye exams. Your child’s eyes undergo rapid development as they grow, and with a regular schedule of eye exams, your Atlantic Eye doctor can find and treat vision problems early.