Pediatric Eye Health: Signs Your Child May Need Glasses

Pediatric Eye Health: Signs Your Child May Need Glasses

  • By:Dr. Katie Dugan

Children don’t often have the awareness to know when they are having vision problems, so it’s important for parents to watch for signs that their child might need glasses. The reality is that early detection is one of the most important factors to help your child maintain healthy development in their learning and growth.

Vision plays a critical role in education because the child needs to be able to see the books and board to process information that is being delivered during the lessons. So, if you suspect that your child needs an eye exam, then it’s important to reach out to our team as soon as possible.

Here are a few signs that might indicate your child is having trouble with their vision:

Frequent Eye Rubbing or Squinting

If the child is experiencing blurry vision, then they might start to squint. Regular squinting can be a sign that the child is experiencing either nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Eye rubbing can be another indication. Sometimes, children rub their eyes when they are tired. Other times, it could be a sign that they are experiencing strain or fatigue because of vision issues.

Sitting Too Close to the Screen

Pay attention to how close your child is sitting to the TV or if they are holding a phone or book really close to their face. When a child has myopia (nearsightedness), then it is difficult to see objects that are far away. So, they will often compensate by bringing the object, such as a book or tablet, closer to their face.

When the child insists on sitting in the front of the classroom or really close to the TV, then it means that they might be having a hard time seeing the details on the screen from a distance.

Headaches or Eye Strain

Even though headaches can be caused by many different things, poor vision can be a contributing factor that causes frequent headaches. Talk to an eye doctor if your child is often complaining about headaches, especially after reading or using screens.

Difficulty in School

Did you know that performance issues in school can sometimes be caused by vision problems? For example, the child might be struggling to read because their eyes can’t focus on the page clearly. If the child often skips words or lines, or they are always using a finger to track the text, then schedule an appointment with an eye doctor.

Schedule an Eye Examination

If you notice any of these signs, then it’s time to schedule a comprehensive eye examination. We recommend maintaining regular eye appointments to help with early intervention. Schedule your appointment by contacting our team at Temecula Creek Optometry: (951) 302 -1331.

Posted in: Eye Glasses