Healthy vision is essential to a child’s development because children learn by watching. As such, vision problems, which are quite common, can be detrimental to their learning.
Vision problems are the single most widespread disabling condition that affects American kids, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the time American children start school, roughly 25% of them will experience a vision problem. Fortunately, early treatment and prescription eyeglasses can minimize vision problems’ impact on children’s learning and development.
How can you tell if your child is suffering from vision problems? By keeping an eye out on the hidden signs, which include:
1. Difficulty With Reading
You can usually tell if children are having vision problems by watching their reading activities closely. Kids with vision problems find it difficult to keep track of the paragraph they’re reading.
2. Short Attention Span or Aversion to Reading Activities
If kids have difficulty using their eyes for an extended amount of time, they’re more likely to lose interest in certain activities or avoid certain activities altogether. In particular, they may avoid reading, drawing and other activities that require them to focus up close.
3. Tendency to Turn Their Head to the Side
To see an object in front of them better, kids might resort to turning their head to the side. Kids that have this tendency most likely have astigmatism. This common condition is caused by the irregular curvature of the eye’s cornea or lens that in turn causes light rays to be refracted improperly, resulting in blurry vision. Given the impact vision problems may have on your kids’ performance in school, it’s important that you take your kids to your eye doctor every month.
Looking for optometrists in your area?
Guilford Eye Center offers professional eye care and eye exam services. To schedule an appointment with an optometrist, call us at (336) 292-4516, or fill out our form here. We serve homeowners in Greensboro, NC, as well as the surrounding communities.
