It is not always easy to spot vision problems in kids.
Some symptoms are more obvious, like squinting or holding reading materials very close. But often the early signs are subtle and can even be misdiagnosed.
Your child may be experiencing a vision problem if he or she does any of the following:
Avoids reading and close-up work like coloring or doing puzzles
Seems to work slow or not understand the task
Complains of fatigue or headaches
Has a short attention span or seems distracted
Covers one eye or tilts head when focusing on something
Shows sensitivity to light
Exhibits difficulty with coordination
Strabismus is when the eyes do not align properly. This is often referred to as “crossed eyes.”
Amblyophia is poor vision in one eye, and is sometimes referred to as “lazy eye.” It usually occurs before the age of eight. Infants born prematurely or with low birth weight are at greater risk.
Refractive errors cause blurry images due to the shape of the eyeball or lens. These common conditions are easily treated with glasses or contact lenses.
Myopia is one of the three types of refractive errors in children's vision. Myopia is nearsightedness, which means good close vision but poor distance vision.
Hyperopia is one of the three types of refractive errors in children's vision. Hyperopia is farsightedness, which means poor up-close vision but good distance vision.
Astigmatism is one of the three types of refractive errors in children's vision. Children suffering from astigmatism will experience imperfect vision at any distance.
Routine eye exams are a crucial part of your child’s well being and readiness for learning. Many parents do not know that school screenings are not the same as eye exams. Even with 20/20 vision, your child can still have problems that only an eye doctor can detect.
Newborns have their eyes checked before leaving the hospital. And leading medical organizations recommend comprehensive eye exams for health, vision development, and alignment at these ages:
Between 6 and 12 months
3 years of age
Every other year throughout the school years
