8 Signs that Your Child Might Have Vision Problems

Children are visual learners, and up to 80% of their school lessons are focused on visual activities. So, if a child has an untreated vision problem, it could potentially hinder the child’s development and learning opportunities.

As a parent, how do you know if your child is suffering from vision problems? Regular eye exams are important to monitor their vision. Additionally, there are a few signs that you might recognize at home. Here are eight potential signs that your child has vision problems:

1. Low Grades in School: If your child usually receives good grades and then suddenly start getting poor scores, it might not be a learning issue. When the student can’t see what the teacher is writing on the board, it can lead to bad grades.

2. Squinting at Things that are Far Away: Watch your child when they are trying to look at the board in a classroom or another object far away. If they start to squint or tilt their head, then it could indicate that they are having a hard time seeing the item.

3. Difficulty Following the Words without Finger Tracking: Children often learn to read with their finger following the words. Eventually, they can track the words without using their finger. Ask the child to read without pointing. If they lose their place frequently, you might consider scheduling an appointment with an eye doctor.

4. Sitting Close to the TV: Does your child try to get closer to the screen when watching TV? It could be a sign of a vision problem. Also observe how close the child holds a book when reading, which will indicate how well they can see the page. These are signs of nearsightedness.

5. Watching TV with One Eye Closed: Does your child relax on the couch and close one eye when watching TV? They might have a binocular vision problem or a refractive error that inhibits the eyes to work together simultaneously. Another potential problem is convergence insufficiency, which is an eye teaming problem that causes the child to close one eye while reading or working.

6. Avoids the Computer: Does your child avoid using the computer because they say that it hurts their eyes? Digital eye strain is becoming more common for people of all ages. Help your child by scheduling breaks after 20 minutes of screen time. They should look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds before returning to the digital screen.

7. Rubbing Their Eyes Often: When a child is active or concentrating on something, frequent eye rubbing could be a sign of vision problems. It can also be a potential sign that the child has allergies.

8. Sensitive Eyes: A few warning signs of sensitive eyes include excessive tearing or extreme sensitivity to indoor lights. These sensitivities can lead to nausea or headaches and could be a warning sign of several eye diseases.

If you notice any of these warning signs, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced pediatric optometrist for an eye exam. Here at Village Eyecare, we offer top-rated optometry services for the entire family. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a kid’s eye doctor.