It is up to the parent, care-giver or teacher to spot signs of a child having trouble in his vision. This includes noticing minor tell-tale signs like if your child sits too close to the TV screen or if he squints while reading.
The pediatric ophthalmologists at Vista Eye Specialists, VA recommend regular check-ups for your child. These doctors at Vista Eye are trained specialists who deal compassionately and patiently with young children without intimidating them. They use state-of-the-art technology to assess the fixation response of the child, assess the way the pupils are working and the alignment of the eyes. A retinoscope is used by the specialists to tell if the child is nearsighted, farsighted or has astigmatism.
The earlier the vision problem is identified there less chances are that your child’s development and education will be affected. As a parent or primary care-giver, be alert to your child squinting. Squeezing ones eyes reduces the size of the blurred image on the back of the retina and temporarily improves vision. If your catch your child doing so, this might be a warning sign that he is compensating for poor vision.
If your child tilts his head, loses his place while reading, or skips sentences in a book, it may be a sign that he suffers from eye muscle imbalance or strabismus. Sitting very close to the television or holding a book to close to ones eyes is often a sign of nearsightedness.
A child who covers one eye to read may be suffering from a vision problem in one eye which can result in amblyopia. Covering one eye can also be a sign of double vision caused by strabismus or even a cataract.
If you notice your young ones eyes tearing too often he may have lag ophthalmus. When the eyes do not completely shut while sleeping, they dry out. This may result in excessive tearing during the day and create problems in vision. Also, if a child rubs his eyes excessively, it may be because of eye fatigue or allergic conjunctivitis.
Call Vista Eye Specialists to make an appointment with our team of professional and friendly pediatric ophthalmologists and ensure the protection and wellbeing of your child’s vision.
