Did you know that one in four children of school age has a vision issue that frequently goes undetected?
Clear vision is essential for a child’s learning, development, and self-esteem. However, numerous children face challenges in academics or sports merely due to unclear vision – and they might not even be aware of it.
Being informed about prevalent vision issues in children and identifying early warning signs can significantly impact their future achievements.
Why Eye Health in Children Matters
Reading, writing, and playing are some of the key aspects of childhood learning and development that require good vision.
In the case of a child with unidentified eye issues, it may impact on the concentration of the child, the performance of the child in school and even the self esteem of the child.
In contrast to adults, children seldom express concerns regarding blurry vision, as they believe that everyone perceives the world in a similar manner.
This is the reason why it is essential to provide regular attention to children’s eye health. A thorough eye examination can identify problems well in advance of them affecting daily activities or academic performance.
Common Vision Problems in Children
Several eye conditions can affect how children see the world. Spotting them early is key to effective treatment.
1. Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Myopic children can see the closer objects clearly and fail to see the far ones.
Signs to watch for:
- Sitting too close to the TV or classroom board
- Squeezing of eyes or turning head sideways to see faraway objects
- Complaints of headaches or tired eyes
2. Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Hyperopia brings about problems in concentrating on the things around, particularly reading or doing homework.
Common signs include:
- Frequently rubbing one’s eyes
- Experiencing headaches following close work
- Avoiding activities that necessitate close attention
3. Astigmatism
Astigmatism is caused by a cornea that is irregularly shaped, which results in blurred vision at every distance.
Look for these symptoms:
- Complaints of blurry or distorted vision
- Frequent blinking or eye rubbing
- Trouble seeing fine details
- Keeping head in particular/abnormal way to see clearly
- Headache around the brows
4. Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia is a condition where there is weakness in one eye as compared to the other so that the brain favors the stronger eye.
Possible signs:
- Poor depth perception
- Tilting the head to one side
- Squinting of eyes
- Most of the time , no signs at all
5. Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)
Strabismus is the misalignment of the eyes which can face in another direction.
Symptoms may include:
- Eyes not moving together
- Headaches
- Turning or tilting the head to concentrate.
All these common vision problems among the children are manageable provided that they are diagnosed at an early age by an eye care specialist.
How Parents Can Spot Vision Problems Early
The initial defense towards the health of children’s eyes is the parents. Look at the finer signs of behaviour like:
- Squinting and rubbing eyes often.
- Spending too much time on the screens or books too close.
- Not reading or looking at something that may need visual attention.
- Reports of headache or eye pain.
- Lack of concentration to perform tasks that involve concentration.
Teachers can also be able to see early signs such as when a child finds it hard to read the board or when the child loses track when reading.
In case you notice any of these symptoms, it is better to arrange a check-up of children to the eye doctor as fast as possible.
Eye tests are able to not only identify refractive disorders but also underlying disorders that are more serious.
Preventive Eye Care Tips for Children
The initial consciousness and little lifestyle changes can go a long way in keeping strong and healthy eyes.
Here are a few pediatric eye care tips every parent should follow:
- Limit screen time: Advocate for breaks by following the 20-20-20 guideline – every 20 minutes, gaze at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Ensure proper lighting: Insufficient or overly bright lighting can cause strain on young eyes.
- Encourage outdoor play: Exposure to natural sunlight aids in healthy eye development and lowers the chances of myopia.
- Promote a balanced diet: Incorporate foods that are high in vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, and leafy greens.
- Schedule regular eye exams: Even if your child expresses no issues, annual eye examinations are crucial for early detection.
Conclusion
Children depend on their eyesight for almost all facets of learning and discovery.
Identifying early indicators of visual issues in children facilitates prompt intervention, guaranteeing they can excel academically and partake in everyday activities with assurance.
Routine examinations and a focus on children’s ocular health are straightforward yet effective methods to safeguard their promising future.
Children can be examined at any age to diagnose the ailment at the earliest, thereby ensuring proper visual development, which is a time-sensitive process.
We recommend the first examination at 6 months of age or earlier if the parents note any abnormality and then as suggested by the eye care professional and definitely before putting them to school.
Some babies born premature or some other bodily problems like heart diseases may need check ups as early as 20 days to 30 days of age. Remember, no child is too young to be examined and diagnosis at later age may result in loss of development of bi-nocular vision.
