It can be difficult for kids to know that they have a problem with their eyesight. After all, how do they know what they’re not seeing, if they’ve never seen it?
According to medical research, children’s eyesight can change between the ages of 6 and 12, with some being left short- or long-sighted. It’s recommended that parents have their children’s eyesight checked early on as newborns, as well as every year as they get older, to keep tabs on any changes.
But what are the signs that there might be a problem with a child’s sight?
Squinting
Of course, squinting is a quick visual sign that your child might need glasses. Both adults and children squint to try readjust the focus of the image in front of them. If your child finds that squinting helps them to see better, it’s definitely time to book in for an eye test. Despite the pandemic, you can still go into a local brand for an eye test and get your lens prescription. But, if you can’t find a pair of glasses you and your child like in store, there is a huge range available at just-glasses.co.uk.
They rub their eyes
If they have noticeably dry eyes, or keep rubbing them throughout the day, this is another sign of a problem. We all rub our eyes from time to time—especially when we’re tired—but if this habit continues, it might be a sign that they’re struggling to see. Rubbing the eyes can also damage them when it becomes excessive, so it’s worth checking in with an optician.
Tilting their head
One indicator that a child is suffering from a lazy eye is head-tilting. If you find your child is tilting their head to read or to look at objects in front of them, they could be struggling to focus. Similarly, if they are continuously covering one eye up while reading, this could be down to a lazy eye and could cause them eye strain.
Holding objects closer to them
If your child often moves objects nearer to them—for example, books or tablets and smartphones—it could be because they are short-sighted. In the same way, if you find yourself constantly telling them not to sit so near the TV, it might be because they can’t see from further away.
On the topic of tablets and other digital devices, it is recommended to minimize the amount of time children spend on these devices, to aid proper eye development.
Losing focus on school work
There are several reasons a child might lose focus while studying or doing homework. One of these could be down to their eyesight. It’s worth discussing with your child whether they are struggling to see the whiteboard at school, and how easy they find it to look at white paper, notebooks, and textbooks. Sometimes, kids with dyslexia use colored filters to help reduce visual stress, while others might need tinted glasses.
Even of your child has never experiences any of the above symptoms previously, it’s worth getting tested as the eyes have the potential to change during childhood. If your child is suffering from any of the symptoms above, it’s definitely time to get a professional opinion. Book in with your optician now to prevent any more strain, headaches, and issues for your kids.
