Children are too young and lack the experience to realize that something is wrong with their vision. Often, eye problems are not caught until they are older, especially if they do not have vision exams other than those given at school or by their pediatrician. But as parents, we may notice things that might be signs that your child is struggling with their vision. And the sooner these problems are treated, the better. Here are five common eye problems that parents shouldn’t ignore.
#1. Frequent Eye Rubbing or Blinking
If your child often rubs or blinks their eyes, it could be a sign of an eye allergy, like one to pollen that can be treated with OTC or prescription eye drops. It could also be a sign that a foreign object like sand, for example are stuck under their eyelid that needs to be flushed out. However, frequent blinking and rubbing could also be a sign of a refractive error like nearsightedness that requires corrective eyeglasses.
#2. Covering One Eye or Tilting Head
If you see your child frequently covering one eye or tilting their head when looking at an object, they might have amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. It may also be a sign of a refractive error, such as astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness.
#3. Crossed or Misaligned Eyes
Strabismus is a condition where your child’s eyes are not aligned with one another. Your child might cross their eyes or have an eye that turns outward, inward, downward or upward. If let untreated, this condition could lead to the misaligned eye developing amblyopia.
#4. Persistent Squinting
If your child persistently squints, it could be a sign of a vision problem. Maybe their eyes are sensitive to light. It can also be a sign that they are nearsighted or farsighted and trying to overcorrect their eyes to see better.
#5. Holding Books Closely to Face
Sitting too close to the television or holding a tablet or book too close to their face could be a sign that your child has a vision problem. It is essential to catch a problem like this before it affects your child’s learning or turns them off from reading because it is too uncomfortable for them.
If you notice these problems, don’t hesitate to schedule an eye exam for your child with one of Valley Eyecare Center’s vision professionals. Early detection can prevent child eye problems from worsening and negatively affecting their performance in school or sports. Request an appointment online or call us at (602) 955-2700 today.
