Does Your Child Require an Eye Exam?

Every parent is well aware of the importance of preventive care to keep their children healthy. However, what about the child’s eyes? When should the parents schedule their child’s first eye exam?

Usually, parents do not schedule an eye exam for their children unless they see their children suffering from vision problems. Recent research states that school vision screenings miss up to 75% of children with vision problems.

One should understand the necessity of healthy eyes and the essential role they play in all-around child development. Sometimes, eye problems in children can be mistaken as learning disability symptoms. If your child has an undiagnosed vision problem, it can have a negative impact on the way they view the world around them, affecting everything from learning to socializing.

Here are some major signs of vision problems in children:

• Reading problem

  Children may have difficulty reading, such as frequently skipping words. This may be a symptom of a vision issue like astigmatism. Moreover, children who constantly use a finger to keep their place while reading may be dealing with a treatable eye issue.

• Drooping of the eyelids

  Also known as ptosis, it is an eye condition that affects the muscle controlling the upper eyelid, causing it to sag and distort vision. Despite being a common condition among adults, ptosis can be present from birth, a condition known as congenital ptosis. You should get your child’s eyes evaluated for ptosis if their eyelids appear to droop or sag unnaturally. If left untreated, ptosis can lead to amblyopia and even astigmatism.

• Rubbing of the eyes

  You might rub your eyes when you are tired, and this is quite normal. However, if you notice your children constantly rubbing their eyes, it could indicate a significant vision problem. This might mean that the children may be experiencing blurred vision, and they may be rubbing their eyes in order to clear their vision.

• Sitting close to the T.V.

  Contrary to popular belief, sitting close to the television will not hurt the eyes except maybe cause the occasional eye strain. However, sitting too close to the television could be a major sign of Myopia (nearsightedness).

• Closing of one eye

  If one happens to see their child closing one eye while watching television or reading a book, this could mean that the child may be having a binocular vision problem. The child could find it difficult to concentrate on objects with both eyes open if there is a binocular vision irregularity.

• Frequent occurrence of headaches

  Children will frequently complain of headaches as they struggle to read or see various objects. This means that the child may be suffering from serious vision problems as straining to see things clearly can often result in headaches.

• Sensitivity to light

  Photophobia is a symptom of abnormal intolerance to the visual perception of light. In short, it is a condition marked by light-induced eye discomfort. It could also be a sign of a vision problem. An eye doctor should evaluate children who are extremely sensitive to light.

• A child being overly clumsy

  If a child frequently bumps into objects in their way and also has difficulty going around potholes or cracks in the pavement. If they are constantly falling and are unable to avoid bumping into objects, it could mean that they cannot view things clearly before them.

Many signs of vision problems in children are challenging to spot as most of them occur in their growing years. The children may not often be able to report the situation well as they may not be able to effectively express the vision problems they are facing. Therefore, parents may not ask their children whether they are experiencing difficulty in seeing. Parents should watch out for such symptoms to ensure their children get evaluated by the best eye doctor as quickly as possible.

If you wish to get your child’s eyes checked, our medical experts at Netralayam provide the highest quality eye care services to all our patients. They can diagnose most child eye problem symptoms and provide appropriate treatment for them.

WE ALL SHOULD SPREAD AWARENESS – FIRST EYE CHECK UP OF EVERY CHILD SHOULD BE DONE LATEST BY THREE YEARS OF AGE.