Children don't always realize that they are having vision problems, afterall their vision is the only vision they have ever known. It’s important to be on the watch for signs that suggest your child may be struggling to see. Some of the more common signs include:
Blurry vision or double vision
Squinting or holding objects close to the eyes
Headaches or eye strain
Turning or tilting the head or covering or closing one eye
A strabismus (turned eye)
Excessive blinking
Rubbing, tearing, itchy or burning eyes
Most of these signs are fairly intuitive, but there is a long list of other signs and symptoms that are linked to vision and learning that aren’t so obvious. Some of these include:
A dislike of near work (for example, a dislike of playing with Lego)
A short attention span
Day dreaming during work time
Skipping words, letters or lines when reading or taking notes from the board
Using a finger or moving the head to track when reading
Trouble reading, difficulty remembering what was read or poor comprehension
Delayed learning of the alphabet
Persistent letter, number or word reversals
Problems with laterality
Not completing assignments on time
Difficulty with geometric shapes
Poor hand-eye coordination
Poor performance in school
Behaviour problems
If your child is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, it is important to address the issue with your family’s doctor of optometry. Treatments such as vision therapy or reading programs may be needed to help with the underlying vision problem. If you are the least bit concerned, book an appointment today with your local doctor of optometry.
There are a few possible indicators that your child needs glasses. This could begin with a note from the teacher discussing difficulties in school or you may notice your child squinting or having frequent headaches.
Trying to get through your book list, but having trouble with the small print? Or getting a headache from reading in the dark?
Below we debunk some of the most common myths related to reading and vision: