How to spot if your child has vision-related problems
A vision-related problem may cause some or none of these symptoms:
- headaches or irritability
- avoidance of near or distance work
- covering or rubbing of the eyes
- tilting of the head or unusual posture
- using a finger to maintain place while reading
- losing place while reading
- omitting or confusing words when reading
- holding objects close to their face
- sitting close to the television
- short attention span for age
Common eye conditions during childhood:
- Myopia or nearsightedness (blurred vision when seeing objects at a distance)
- Hyperopia or farsightedness (blurred vision when seeing objects up close)
- Astigmatism (distorted vision at all distances)
How can I protect my child’s eyes?
There are some easy changes you can make in every day life to best protect your child’s eyes. These include:
- Encouraging your child to wear sunglasses. This can help protect their eyes from sun damage.
- Change how your children engage in screen time. Make playrooms eye-friendly, encourage frequent breaks and remind them to blink!
- Get your child an eye exam every year.