5 Signs Your Child Might Need an Eye Exam Sooner Than You Think

Children rarely tell us when they cannot see clearly. They often assume everyone sees the world the way they do. But undiagnosed vision problems can impact their learning, comfort, and development. Watch for these subtle signs that may indicate it is time to schedule an eye checkup sooner rather than later.

• Squinting or Closing One Eye

Have you caught your child squinting at books, screens, or faraway objects? Squinting helps sharpen blurry images by reducing the amount of light entering the eye. On the other hand, if they close one eye, they could be attempting to block double vision. This is the result of eye misalignment. Both behaviors often indicate refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

• Getting Too Close to Screens

Does your child sit unusually close to the TV or hold their tablet right up to their face? It is not just about being engrossed in the screen. This can signal myopia (nearsightedness), where distant objects are blurry. To compensate, they naturally move closer. However, this strains their eyes and leads to fatigue, especially after long screen time or in the classroom.

• Rubbing Eyes Excessively

While it is normal for tired kids to rub their eyes, frequent rubbing during the day is a concern. This often signals eye fatigue from straining to see clearly. It could also indicate undiagnosed allergies. Persistent rubbing is more than just a habit; it can cause eye irritation or even scratches on the cornea.

• Head Tilting or Frequent Headaches

Does your child tilt their head often while looking at things? You should know that tilting their head is an attempt to align their eyes. Also, do they complain of headaches, especially after reading or focusing? If they do, it could be an indication of eye strain or binocular vision issues. Here, the eyes struggle to work together.

• Avoiding Reading or Close Work

Most parents are tempted to dismiss some behaviors as laziness, while that may not be the case. This can include avoiding reading, homework, or close-up work. Blurry vision or eye strain can make these activities uncomfortable or frustrating. You might notice them skipping words or losing their place. This can sometimes indicate convergence insufficiency, where it is hard to focus on objects up close.

Why Early Action Matters

Leaving vision problems untreated can lead to ongoing learning challenges. However, early intervention can make a huge difference. You can get your child glasses, contact lenses, or vision therapy. These are all ways of correcting vision issues, which can dramatically improve school performance and confidence. Addressing vision problems early helps protect your child’s comfort and future success.

School Screenings Are Not Enough

It is important to know that typical school vision screenings, although helpful, can often miss significant vision problems. These screenings usually do not test eye coordination, focusing ability, or depth perception. However, a comprehensive eye exam conducted by an optometrist can give a complete picture of your child’s eye health. Even if your child seems fine, annual eye exams are essential for ensuring they have clear sight for a bright future.

For more on eye exams, visit Dr. Martin Hyman Optometrist. Our office is on Westwood Blvd., California. To book an appointment, call (310) 208-3913 today. 

 

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/child-eye-exam