How to Detect Vision Problems in Children

As parents, paying attention to your children’s health is vital. One crucial aspect that often goes unnoticed is their vision. Good vision is essential for a child’s academic performance, social development, and well-being. But many vision problems in children can go undetected if you do not actively look for signs and symptoms.
 

Observe Behavior and Performance

Observing children’s behavior and performance can provide valuable insights. For example, frequent eye rubbing may indicate eye strain or fatigue. It could be a vision issue if your child often squints their eyes while reading or watching television.
 

Keep an eye out for frequent headaches, especially after visual tasks. They can be a result of eye strain or other vision problems. Paying attention to these behavioral cues helps catch potential vision problems early on. It also helps take appropriate action, like scheduling an eye exam for your child.
 

Monitor Eye Alignment and Movement

Eye alignment and movement can provide further clues about your child’s vision health. Keep an eye out for misaligned or crossed eyes. They may indicate a condition called strabismus. Seek professional evaluation if your child’s eyes are not aligned or appear crossed. Pay attention to any abnormal eye movements, like jerky or irregular motions. Consult with an eye care professional if you notice such movements to determine if there is an underlying issue.
 

Pay Attention to Visual Milestones

Children go through specific milestones as they grow. Any delays in achieving these milestones can be indicative of underlying vision problems. Tracking objects is a significant milestone that infants should reach by around three months old. Struggling to follow moving objects with the eyes may be a vision issue.
 

Depth perception develops between five and eight months of age. If your child struggles to perceive depth, it could indicate a vision problem. Children around two should be able to coordinate their hand movements with their vision. They may have a vision issue if they experience challenges with hand-eye coordination.
 

Look for Physical Symptoms

Some physical symptoms can serve as indicators of vision problems in children. Red or watery eyes, for example, can be signs of an underlying eye condition that needs attention. Excessive tearing or frequent redness may indicate an underlying issue affecting your child’s vision. Light sensitivity is another symptom to watch out for. If your child is overly sensitive to light or frequently complains about bright light, it may be due to their vision.
 

Assess School Performance

The impact of vision problems on a child’s academic performance is significant. Poor reading skills, disinterest in near work, or lower grades could mean vision problems. Issues like difficulty reading or confusing similar-looking words could be caused by poor visual acuity. It could also be due to tracking problems.
 

Schedule Regular Eye Exams

Regular eye exams are crucial to detecting and addressing vision problems in children. Schedule your child’s first comprehensive eye exam by the age of three. Subsequent exams should occur at least every two years. You can also attend them as recommended by the eye care professional. These exams can detect refractive errors, lazy eyes, and other vision conditions.
 

For more information about vision problems in children, visit EyeXcel at our offices in Knoxville, Tennessee. Call (865) 687-1232 or (865) 243-8260 to book an appointment today.