When babies are first born, 75% of them are either nearsighted or farsighted. By the time they hit 10 years of age, 86% of children have no vision problems at all. With statistics like these, it can be difficult to see if your child even needs eyeglasses. Learn what to watch out for to make sure your own child doesn't need vision repair so you can catch any issues with eyesight (and other vision-related issues) as soon as possible.
Get regular eye exams at an early age
Children's eyes grow just like the rest of their bodies, which is why most babies with horrible vision will grow into children who have 20/20 vision. To really pin-point your child's eye growth, have their eyes checked starting at ages 5 or 6, which is when rapid eye growth begins. Your child may need glasses or contact lenses for a variety of reasons, including
- vision correction
- to strengthen a weak eye
- to repair cross-eyed vision
- to protect a strong eye when the other is weak
Eye exams are the best way to ensure catching any vision-related issues as soon as possible.
Watch for signs of eye issues in the home
Your child will let you know in their own way if their vision is failing them. Your young child may rub their eyes a lot, complain of headaches, squint at things, or comment on blurry vision. You can also notice drooping eyelids, cross-eyed vision when your child focuses, or your child staring at lights and other bright objects for long periods of time. As your child gets older, they may begin to get agitated over homework and reading since they cannot see well, ask to sit closer to the board at school, or misread the clock at home. They may even begin to avoid their favorite activities since they cannot see or focus well enough to enjoy them safely, or begin to sit uncomfortably close to the TV when watching movies or playing video games. All of these are signs that you should have your child's vision checked.
What an eye exam can do
Your child's eye doctor will check their eyes for vision issues, nerve damage, and eye shape issues to make sure the muscles in the eye (and the eye itself) is healthy. After a full examination, your child's eye doctor will determine if your child needs eyeglasses, and if your child is older, may recommend contact lenses as well. Don't be afraid to ask questions about your child's vision or eye health that you think is irregular, including a drooping or heavy eyelid or discoloration in the eye. The eye doctor can address all issues you may have.
If your child needs eyeglasses for whatever reason, there are ways you can help them make sure they have their eye issues taken care of as soon as possible. Watch out for signs of vision problems in your child and have them examined regularly, and you should be able to catch problems as soon as they arise.
For more information, contact Buffalo Grove Eye Care Center.
