Child’s Play
Does your child have difficulty seeing objects from a distance? When they read, does he or she hold the book up close to their face, straining to read the words?
While your little one may have had vision screening done at school or by his or her paediatrician, a comprehensive eye exam done by an eye-care professional can make a huge difference in how your child sees overall.
Since eye conditions usually don’t cause pain, your child may not have complained about their vision. Because of this, it’s also understandable that you might not even know they have an issue. This is how they’ve always seen the world; why would they even think to tell anyone about an issue they didn’t know they had?
In the long term, vision problems can affect a child’s ability to learn. An optometrist can find the root of the problem and go from there.
Common Issues
Between the age of six and the teenage years, the most common vision disorder is nearsightedness.
Farsightedness may cause headaches and blurred vision.
Strabismus, generally referred to as “lazy eye,” is when the eyes turn in, out, up or down while amblyopia is a reduction in vision in one or both eyes.
Treatments may include eye exercises, glasses, eye drops or even sometimes surgery.
If you think your young one is experiencing vision issues, there are a few signs to look out for.
Does your child…
- sit too close to the computer and/or television screen?
- hold objects close to his or her face when trying to focus?
- complain about seeing double?
- have swelling or redness in one or both eyes?
- often complain about headaches?
- have eyelid(s) that tend to droop or close?
Check Them Out
Ultimately, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you think your child might be having vision problems, take them to your local optometrist and have a comprehensive eye exam done by a professional. Even if there are no issues, your mind will rest at ease knowing that your child’s vision needs have been met.