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How to Tell if Your Child Needs Eye Glasses

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Children generally will not communicate the severity of their vision difficulties. Instead, they will find ways to cope with their struggle. However, avoiding the problem would not be the best solution as poor eyesight can affect their development and education, particularly for school-aged children.

We suggest having your child seen by an eye-care professional every year to check for vision anomalies. During their annual exam, your doctor will look for signs of:

  • Depth perception issues

  • Strabismus or amblyopia (irregularities in eye muscles and alignment)

  • Overall health in and around the eye

  • Serious eye conditions

Even when you’re checking your child’s vision once a year, it may be hard to detect vision difficulties. Children grow rapidly, so their vision can change overnight.

Instead of waiting for your child to tell you if they have a problem, be on the lookout for indications of vision impairment:

DIFFICULTY IN SCHOOL

  • Some children struggle concentrating in class and doing their homework. They may have a difficult time seeing the board or reading what is in front of them. If your child seems to have trouble focusing or their teacher indicates there is a lack of attention, consult an eye doctor before having them checked for ADD or ADHD.

HOLDING TECHNOLOGY TOO CLOSE

Have you noticed your child sitting directly in front of the television, or holding their hand-held device closely to their face? They may be struggling seeing the picture and will unintentionally move closer.

FREQUENT HEADACHES

Headaches or eye pain are common signs of vision problems. If your child complains of either one every so often -especially after a school day- consider visiting an eye doctor.

SQUINTING

The clearest way to tell if your child is having a hard time, is frequent squinting. Another signal may be dry eyes or allergies. Whatever the cause may be, a consult with an eye doctor.

HEAD TILTING

Your child most-likely tilts their head to improve the angle of their vision, an indication they may have an astigmatism, or an irregularly shaped cornea. This common anomaly is typically corrected with glasses.

COVERING ONE EYE

If your child is usually covering one eye, it may be a symptom of an eye muscle imbalance, known as amblyopia. The imbalance can be corrected with therapy or glasses with early detection of the child’s development. If he/she is older than nine, there is a higher chance of not being able to correct the malady.

EYE RUBBING

A common sign of eye strain or fatigue is excessive eye rubbing. Be on the lookout, so you can cite the problem to your eye doctor.

If you notice one or more symptoms of vision difficulty, contact the experts at Complete Eye Care. We can schedule you an appointment and help you determine if your child might need glasses. You can also schedule online at your convenience here.

Complete Eye Care - Downtown is an advanced eye care practice with Dr. Howard Ross, dedicated to supporting your child’s healthy growth in eye care. Since eyes affect more than just vision (learning, health, quality of life), it’s important to get your yearly eye check up for your little ones!

Find Complete Eye Care - Downtown at 409 C Avenue in Lawton. We are right across from the mall and right next to Edwards Menswear. Our experienced doctors will be sure their eyes are as healthy as can be for the new school year!