When it comes to your child's health and their ability to thrive in school and beyond, the quality of their vision can be one of the most important aspects. Many children go through early childhood and even into their school years with undiagnosed eye conditions that may negatively affect them.
The problem with vision problems in children is that the initial symptoms may not always be obvious to the child or their parents. However, there are signs to watch out for that a child may be in need of some assistance from an optometrist. As a parent, it is important that you get to know some of these signs of vision trouble so you can schedule an eye exam for your child as soon as possible.
Your Child Complains about Headaches Often
One of the signs that your child may need to have their eyes examined is if they are suffering from frequent headaches. When children complain about headaches, most parents will think that their child has allergies, a cold, the flu or some other passing condition.
Although a headache every once in a while is not likely an indication of eye problems, frequent headaches are definitely a possible sign of eye trouble. If your child has headaches after most days in school or after they have been reading, eye strain could be the culprit.
Your Child Has Trouble Concentrating in School or on Homework
Concentration issues in school or on homework may not seem like an eye or vision issue. Many parents, and even teachers, tend to assume that concentration problems stem from behavioral issues such as ADHD.
While it is understandable to worry that your child's behavior issues are mental health-related, concentration problems can be related to vision. Not being able to see can make focusing on school frustrating, difficult, and physically and mentally tiring. These struggles will look like behavior problems to the outside observer, but before you think about starting your child on meds for ADHD, schedule an eye exam.
Your Child Rubs Their Eyes a Lot
Children of any age can have trouble with their eyes and vision. And sometimes, they are not able to explain what they are experiencing especially if they are toddlers or preschoolers. When these children are having trouble seeing, they may rub their eyes frequently.
If your young child is constantly straining their eyes to concentrate or see, their eyes will become tired. And when a person's eyes are tired, they often rub or touch their eyes in an attempt to relieve some of the discomfort.
Your Child is Overly Clumsy
Another sign of eye trouble in your child is if your child is overly clumsy. This can mean that they frequently bump into objects in your home, do not go around potholes or cracks in the pavement, or even that they trip up or off the curb quite often.
Most children are a bit clumsy from time to time, but falling often could be a sign of trouble. Additionally, when your child bumps into furniture and other items around the home that are in the same place all the time, their depth perception may be to blame.
Many of the signs of vision problems in children are not as easy to notice as they are in adults. Children often do not know that their eyes the issue because they do not know what clear sight and vision would feel or look like. As such, you cannot just ask your child if they are having trouble seeing.
Watch out for these various signs of vision problems in children so you can be sure you get your child scheduled for an
eye exam
as soon as possible. If their troubles do turn out to be their eyes, then you can get them the corrective lenses they need to resolve their symptoms.
