The need for vision correction often comes at an early age, but most young children are unaware of their impaired condition as they have no life experience to compare it to. A trip to the optometrist is sound advice for every parent with a youngster approaching the school-age years to ensure parental peace of mind that the child is free and clear of ocular problems. Sometimes, a child will exhibit behavior indicating they have difficulty seeing, so always be on the watch for these five signs and symptoms to determine if your child is need of glasses.
1. Squinting
Squinting is a mechanism to concentrate on an object that does not register clearly with the eyes. Your child may squint to view close-up or faraway objects in attempt to bring them into focus by changing the size and length of the lens.
2. Chronic Headaches
Disturbed vision creates strain and frustration when reading or watching TV. If your child sits too close to the television set, he or she may have an eyesight problem that is easily corrected with glasses. Left untreated, an ocular problem causes tension headaches from overworked eye muscles trying to adjust to the environment. In addition, when a child’s eyesight undergoes changes, he or she may need to have an examination to alter and update the prescription of the eye glasses.
3. Reading Deficiencies
Sometimes a child desperately wants to read for him or herself, but cannot concentrate long enough and decipher the words. If the child has difficulty following a printed sentence, this may be due to eye strain, signaling a need for 20/20 vision correction. Adult reading glasses are not the answer. The child needs to be checked by an eye doctor for astigmatism and other root causes for the reading deficiencies.
4. Red or Swollen Eyes
When a child is struggling to see clearly, he or she may rub their eyes frequently to ease the pain. Mild redness and swelling may occur and should be a instant tip-off that the child is having vision problems. Perhaps the child will not tell you of his or her eyesight battles, but remember–he or she does not know life any other way and uses the eye rubbing as a natural remedy for eye strain.
5. Feedback From Teachers
Your child’s teacher may be the first to recognize a consistent problem with your son or daughter’s vision, so listen carefully to what they have to say. If he or she needs to sit in the front row for every activity, has difficulty reading the chalkboard, or exhibits rapid fatigue when reading aloud, it may be time to see an optometrist.
Sara Roberts is a content contributor for Just Eyewear, an online prescription glasses retailer.
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