When we develop vision problems as adults, it’s typically quite obvious to us. We notice that we can no longer focus on objects which were once easy to see, and so we head to the eye doctor to have the problem fixed. But kids who develop eye problems may not have the logical awareness to notice the problem and communicate it to us. Furthermore, children who were born with imperfect vision won’t have any way to compare or realize that their blurred vision isn’t completely normal. For these reasons it’s important for us to pay attention to cues which may hint at vision problems in our kids. The following are some things to look for.
1. Abnormal Eye Appearance
Even if you’ve noticed something odd in the way your child’s eyes look, it isn’t always obvious that this aesthetic issue could be an indication of vision problems. Pay attention to things such as difficulty in having both eyes move in unison, a cross-eyed look, bulging eyes, or whether their eyes flutter from side-to-side or up-and-down. Another thing to look for is a spot which appears in photos taken with flash rather than the usual red-eye effect, or issues such as pupils which are different sizes or cloudy-looking eyes.
2. A Sleepy-Looking Child
Most kids will rub their eyes when sleepy, but a specialist from Marvel Optics says a child with vision problems might rub their eyes frequently throughout the day. They might complain that their eyes are tired, or have droopy-looking eyelids which don’t want to open all of the way, or seem to be especially clumsy.
3. Child Compensating to Cope with Blurry Vision
If you notice your child consistently holds books very close to their face, sits as near to the television as possible, or avoids near or far-vision activities on a regular basis, it could be that that child is actively compensating for their lack of clear vision. Other such actions might include tilting their head, squinting, or frequently blinking.
4. Complaints From Your Child
Kids may not know how exactly to describe the fact that they’re experiencing double vision, but pay attention to any complaints they may have. Itchy or dry eyes, sensitivity to light, recurrent headaches, double vision, and any pain shouldn’t be ignored.
If you’re at all concerned that there may be a problem, it’s better to be on the safe side and see a doctor, rather than waiting indefinitely out of uncertainty. Some vision problems can get worse if left untreated, while others may affect your child’s ability to interact well in social groups, learn at school, or compete in sports and games. Try to get your child’s eyes looked at as soon as possible to nip any potential vision problems in the bud.
