Why is Vision Problems in Children? The eyes are our most important senses and help us understand our environment. The eyes are even more vital for children as they need them for their academic, sporting, and social progress. Vision accounts for up to 80% of classroom learning, and eye problems may be why your child struggles to cope with school or focus on other tasks.
Children have their eyes examined at birth for defects, and many schools organize regular vision checks on their pupils. However, it is still possible for vision impairments in children to go undetected for a long time.
Vision Problems in Children Thus, parents and teachers must be watchful for developments that may signal eye problems in their kids. Most vision problems in kids can be managed and corrected, especially if they are detected early.
7 Common Vision Problems in Children: Signs & Correction
The most common vision problems affecting kids include:
Refractive Errors
Vision Problems in Children- Refractive errors are the most common eye problems affecting children resulting from abnormalities on the eye surface that prevent light from being focused on the retina properly. These refractive errors include:
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Vision Problems in Children- Here the child can see close objects clearly but finds it difficult to look at far away ones. Myopia happens because the eyeballs are longer than normal, so the focal point of an image is in front of the retina rather than on it.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Vision Problems in Children- A child with hyperopia can see far objects clearly but will find things that are up close blurry. The eyeballs, in this case, are shorter than usual, so the focal point of an image is behind the retina instead of on it.
Kids with farsightedness struggle to read and can suffer eye strain and headaches as they view close objects.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea’s front surface is not as smooth and curved equally in all directions as it should be. This unevenness causes light to focus on more than one spot on the eye, causing images at all distances to appear blurred.
Strabismus
Vision Problems in Children- Both eyes cannot focus on the same image simultaneously. It can cause children to tilt their heads to see objects and also cause them to bump into things frequently.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia results from miscommunication between the brain and the affected eye. It can lead to poor depth perception and clumsiness in children.
Convergence Insufficiency (CI)
Vision Problems in Children- Convergence insufficiency causes the eyes to have problems focusing on moving or near objects. A child with CI will struggle with focusing, reading and may also experience blurred vision and eyestrain.
Vision Correction in Children
Vision Problems in Children- Most vision problems in children can be corrected with the proper use of contacts or glasses. The type of corrective eyewear most suited to a child depends on their age, habits, and the type of activities they participate in. Over 25% of children aged two to 17 wore glasses or contact lenses in 2019.
Glasses require less cleaning and maintenance than contacts and may be more suitable for most children. On the other hand, contact lenses rest on the child’s eye, so their vision is unobstructed in any way.
Children can also partake in sporting activities without their eyewear obstructing their performance.
Cost can also be a factor for parents deciding whether to opt for glasses or contacts for their kids. You can get glasses for an average cost of $300, and you may not need to get another till the prescription changes.
The price of contact lenses varies depending on how often you need to replace them, the material of manufacture, rebate, place of purchase, and how many you buy at a time, among other factors.
Signs Your Child May Need Vision Correction
Parents and teachers may not precisely say what is wrong with a child’s vision by looking at the child. But there are early warning signs that can point to vision problems in children.
If you detect any of these signs in a child, you should schedule them for an appointment with an optometrist as quickly as possible.
Squinting Frequently
Frequent squinting may be a sign of a vision problem. When we squint, the eye’s shape changes to improve vision momentarily. If a child squints, it could result from an underlying eye problem that calls for professional attention.
Eye Rubbing
Children rub their eyes when they are tired or sleepy. However, if you observe a child rubbing their eyes more than usual, it may indicate a vision problem like eye fatigue and other vision problems.
Some conditions like conjunctivitis may be responsible for eye rubbing, but it could also point to something more severe.
Head Tilting
If a child tilts their head to see an object, it could indicate an eye condition. Strabismus, eye muscle imbalances can cause head tilting in children.
Tilting reduces double vision, and children also tilt their heads to make objects appear directly in front of them, making it easier to see. If you notice any form of titling in your child, you may need to book them for a full eye examination.
Sitting Too Close to Screens
Another warning sign of vision problems, in this case, nearsightedness, is sitting too close to TV screens. Children with myopia see clearly at short distances and bring books or gadgets near their eyes when reading.
If you notice this behavior in your child, you should take them to see an eye doctor immediately as untreated vision problems can get more severe with time.
Frequent Headaches
If a child complains of frequent headaches, it could result from hyperopia, other uncorrected vision problems or Sinusitis Problem. Children with eye defects may exert more effort to improve their vision resulting in recurrent headaches.
Bottom Line
Your child needs healthy eyes for their academic and all-around progress. Thus, parents and caregivers need to watch out for signs that may point to early vision problems in children.