A child understands the world through their eyes. Therefore, healthy vision plays a significant role in their growth and development. Yet, many children live with undetected vision problems that affect their academic performance and quality of life. This is why focusing on paediatric eye health is important for parents and caregivers.
In this blog, we will shed light on the significance of paediatric eye health and the signs of weak eyesight in children, so you know when your child may need an eye exam.
Importance of Paediatric Eye Health
Eye health is a huge determinant of overall childhood development. Approximately 80% of learning in school is visual, meaning that undiagnosed vision issues can significantly impact your child’s academic progress. Early detection of eye problems, such as refractive errors, squint, amblyopia, and other conditions, allows for timely treatment, helping to prevent long-term vision loss.
It is very common for children not to complain about poor vision as they believe that how they are seeing the world is completely normal. Therefore, frequent eye checkups are very important. Regular eye check-ups and observation for signs of visual discomfort can help identify issues early, ensuring your child has the best chance for a bright, clear, and healthy future.
The signs of weak eyesight
Frequent headaches
Does your child complain about headaches after reading or school? Headaches can signal a number of issues, such as farsightedness and astigmatism. When the eyes constantly try to focus, it can lead to frontal headaches that often go unnoticed as a symptom of weak eyesight.
Tired eyes after reading
Is your child rubbing their eyes constantly? Are they complaining about tired eyes after doing homework or reading? Then they could struggle to see objects which are near to them. This could be due to uncorrected refractive errors or eye muscle imbalance. Watch for signs like frequent breaks during reading or avoidance of near work.
Poor performance in sports
Playing games such as football, cricket, and basketball requires good coordination between the hands and eyes. Difficulty in judging distances, tracking a moving ball, or frequently missing catches can be subtle signs that your child’s eyesight needs checking.
Frequent squinting
Squinting assists children temporarily improves their focus by reducing the amount of light entering the eye and decreasing blur. If you notice your child squinting while watching TV or looking at objects that are located at a distance, it could indicate nearsightedness or astigmatism.
Poor academic performance
Since much of classroom learning is dependent on seeing the board, reading, and writing, children with vision issues may struggle to keep up. They may avoid reading aloud, copy incorrect notes from the board, or lose interest in studies, leading to poor grades and frustration.
Sitting close to screens
Does your child sit very close to the TV or hold a tablet or book too close to their face? This may be a sign of nearsightedness (myopia), where distant objects appear blurry. Sitting closer helps them see clearly, but it is a clear indication that an eye exam is needed.
Excessive blinking
Excessive or frequent blinking in children can be a symptom of blurred vision, eye strain, or dry eyes. While occasional blinking is normal, persistent excessive blinking should prompt an eye check-up to rule out underlying visual or ocular surface issues.
Struggles in maintaining eye contact
Eye contact plays a cardinal role in a child’s social development. Children who have vision problems may avoid maintaining eye contact because it feels uncomfortable or because they cannot see faces clearly, which may affect their social interactions. Therefore, parents need to prioritise comprehensive eye exams.
Watery eyes
Watery eyes in children can be due to allergies, clogged tear ducts, or general irritation. However, it can also indicate eye strain from trying to focus through blurred vision. If your child frequently has watery eyes without any signs of a cold or allergy, consider an eye examination. Early detection is the key to eye health.
Sensitivity to light
If your child often complains that sunlight or bright lights hurt their eyes, it may be a sign of photophobia (light sensitivity). This could be linked to uncorrected refractive errors, ocular surface issues, or underlying eye conditions that need evaluation.
Conclusion
Your child’s eyes are their gateways to the world around them, and healthy vision plays a key role in ensuring their growth, safety, and learning. Children often find themselves struggling with visual challenges, so it is important for parents and caregivers to stay observant of the subtle signs that may indicate weak eyesight.
Watch out for frequently returning headaches, fatigued eyes after reading or school, poor performance in sports, squinting, poor academic performance, sitting close to screens, too much blinking, difficulty maintaining eye contact, watery eyes, and light sensitivity in your child.
If you notice any of these signs, do not delay. Seek a consultation with an eye examination with a paediatric ophthalmologist or optometrist. Early detection can prevent many long-term complications, allowing timely intervention such as glasses, vision therapy, or other treatments as needed.
Additionally, regular eye check-ups should be part of your child’s daily health care, even if there are no obvious symptoms. This is especially before starting school and during growth spurts.
Your attention to your child’s eye health today will ensure they continue to explore, learn, and engage with the world with clear, healthy vision tomorrow.
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