Did you know that one in four school-aged kids has a vision problem? Up to 80% of learning in school is visual, and children aren’t always able to tell you that they are having problems with their vision.
Many vision problems don’t show any signs until they start affecting a child’s ability to learn and read. Common vision problems in children include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and the ability to properly focus. Vision screenings at school or in a pediatrician’s office don’t always identify vision problems in children, and even when they do, the recommendation is to visit a pediatric optometrist for a pediatric eye exam and treatment.
When a child has a vision problem, it can put them at a serious disadvantage at school and in their social development. That’s why it’s important for parents to be on the lookout for any warning signs of vision problems in their children.
Warning Signs of Vision Problems in Children
If you notice an eye turning in or out or that your child is frequently squinting to see, these are obvious symptoms your child may have a vision problem and needs a pediatric eye exam. Other warning signs of vision problems in children include the following:
- Frequent eye rubbing or rapidly blinking
- Short attention span
- Struggling with reading or other activities up-close
- Frequent headaches
- Often covering up one eye when trying to see
- Tilting their head to one side
- Holding a book or other reading materials up close to their eyes
- Frequently losing their place while reading
- Difficulty with reading comprehension
Schedule a Pediatric Eye Exam
Children can’t always communicate they’re having vision problems, so the best way to ensure your child isn’t struggling due to a vision problem is to have their eyes thoroughly examined by an expert optometrist.
The doctors at Omaha Primary EyeCare have the expertise to diagnose and properly treat vision problems in children. Schedule a pediatric eye exam today!
