It’s not uncommon for children to have vision problems, even from an early age, and early detection allows early treatment. Very often your child will not (or cannot) tell you that he or she is having vision problems, but through careful observation of the child’s behaviour patterns and other indicators, you can make a pretty good guess. The surest way to know is by having your child take an eye exam at the doctor’s office. In the meantime, here are some signs that your child may be having difficulties with their vision.
Your Child Doesn’t Seem to Notice You
Your child doesn’t seem to notice you, either up close or from a short distance, even when you are clearly within their line of vision.
Sitting Close to the TV
If the child is near-sighted, he or she will sit close to the television very often.
Frequent Rubbing of the Eyes
Frequent eye rubbing is another sign that your child could have trouble seeing. They may rub their eyes frequently when concentrating on something, or just during day-to-day activities.
Reading Trouble
Your child may have reading problems, or be heavily dependent on using his or her fingers or another reading aid to follow along while reading. This in itself is not a tell tale indicator of vision problems, but it is a red flag. Try asking your child to read without pointing, and if he or she is still struggling, it might be time for an eye exam.
Light Sensitivity
Sensitivity to light is another indicator of possible vision problems. Does your child complain about nausea when exposed to bright lights? Is he/she always afraid of the camera or being exposed to the sun? Ask your child why he/she is afraid, to determine if it is in fact sensitivity or something else.
Poor Academic Performance
A child could be getting poor grades for any number of reasons, but if he/she has trouble seeing the board or reading the textbooks, then you should have him/her do an eye test.
Physical Signs
There are also physical signs you can look out for, such as excessive tearing, redness, half-closed eyelids, erratic eye movement, white pupils (or white spots) and/or cloudy irises. If you notice any of these things, consult a doctor. Your child may not be old enough to communicate that he/she has problems seeing, so physical signs are important.
The surest way to tell if your child has impaired vision is by seeing a doctor or specialist. Even without the signs discussed present, have your child undergo regular eye examinations. When problems are detected early, treatment is more effective. If you have concerns about your child, then call our office to book an appointment.