With the widespread use of electronic devices, more and more children are wearing glasses. As parents, you may notice changes in your child’s behavior, which could indicate vision problems. Recognizing the early signs of vision issues is crucial because healthy eye development in childhood greatly impacts a child’s growth and learning ability.
10 Signs Your Child Need Glasses
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Frequent Complaints of Eye Fatigue or Headaches
If your child often complains of tired or itchy eyes or headaches after reading or doing homework, this could be a sign of eye problems and one of the most obvious signs that your child needs glasses, such as astigmatism or eye strain.
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Holding Books or Screens Too Close
If your child has the habit of holding books, tablets, or a TV remote very close to their eyes, it could indicate that they are unable to see clearly at a normal distance, possibly due to nearsightedness. If one or both eyes remain blurry, it could suggest they have astigmatism, or that some form of eye injury is affecting their vision.
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Squinting
If you notice that your child often squints to see things, whether it’s watching TV, reading, or viewing objects in the distance, this could be a sign of nearsightedness (myopia) or other refractive errors. Squinting can temporarily improve vision, so your child may squint to see objects more clearly.
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Difficulty Seeing the Board at School
If your child’s academic performance has recently declined because they can’t clearly see the blackboard or whiteboard in class, they may need glasses. You might notice them squinting, leaning forward, or asking to sit closer to the board to improve their ability to learn.
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Sensitivity to Light
If your child often squints or complains that light is too bright, or feels dizzy after spending extended periods outdoors in sunlight, they may have light sensitivity. This could be a sign of astigmatism or other vision issues.
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Tilting Their Head or Unusual Posture
If your child frequently tilts their head or adopts an unusual posture while reading or looking at something, they might be compensating for blurry vision, or trying to find a better angle to see more clearly.
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Frequent Eye Rubbing
If your child often rubs their eyes while reading, watching TV, or using electronic devices, it could be a sign of eye strain and may also indicate vision problems, especially after focusing for long periods. This might mean that your child is putting in extra effort to see clearly. They may need corrective glasses to alleviate the strain on their eyes.
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Frequent Eye Irritation or Tearing
Persistent eye irritation, including redness, watering, or puffiness, could signal an underlying eye issue, such as a refractive error or another condition that requires attention.
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Strabismus or Amblyopia
If you notice that your child’s eyes seem unable to work together properly, it could be due to strabismus or amblyopia. For instance, the eyes may not align to look in the same direction, or one eye may appear to wander.
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Family History of Eye Problems
If there is a family history of vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, it’s particularly important to monitor your child’s vision and consider regular eye exams.
What Should You Do if Your Child Needs Glasses?
Vision problems can affect your child’s ability to learn, play, and perform daily activities. If you notice any of the above signs, it’s advisable to schedule an eye exam as soon as possible. Early detection of vision issues can help your child lead a more comfortable and successful life. Regular eye exams, ideally starting at age 6, can ensure that any problems are identified early and treated appropriately.
Myopia Control Lenses
Myopia control lenses are specially designed eyeglass lenses used to help manage the progression of myopia. They provide clear vision correction in the central zone of the lens while creating defocused optical zones in the peripheral areas, which helps slow down the excessive elongation of the eyeball. This can effectively reduce the rapid increase in myopia. Defocus lenses are commonly used for children and adolescents, and when combined with regular eye check-ups, they can effectively protect vision health.
