Does your child squint, complains of blurry vision or headaches, has itchy or watery eyes? Well, these are all signs of vision problems. Studies prove that nearly 1 out of 4 kids have eyesight issues. Often parents are not aware of the symptoms that indicate that their child could have a vision condition. Here, we are going to discuss some common vision problems and the warning signs that indicate your child needs to visit an optometrist.
Some common indications of eye problems in kids include:
- Complaints of a headache
- Squints or gets too close to the object to be able to view better
- Constant tearing and redness in the eyes
- Unable to see near or far objects
- Complaints of itchiness in the eyes or rubs the eyes frequently
- Getting too close to the T.V or computer screen
- Unable to focus (Streff Syndrome)
Some common eye problems in kids include:
- Tearing or epiphora: This usually occurs during infancy and is due to undeveloped tear ducts. This is treated with eye drops and goes away as the child grows. But sometimes, this could lead to glaucoma which needs further treatment.
- Hyperopia or farsightedness: This is when a child is unable to view near objects as clearly as they can view far objects. Children with Hyperopia can see blurry images in one or both eyes. If not corrected, this could worsen and lead to a permanent visual loss.
- Myopia or nearsightedness: This is when a child is unable to see far objects as clearly as they can view near objects. Children with Myopia can see blurry images in one or both eyes. If not corrected, this could worsen and lead to a permanent visual loss.
- Ptosis or drooping eyelid: This is caused due to a weakness in the eyelid muscle and could occur in both children and adults. As a result, light is not passed to the retina in the back of the eye and this, in turn, causes a blurry image to the affected eye. This is typically treated with a surgery.
- Strabismus: This occurs due to a misalignment in the eyes. Based on the of the strabismus, treatment may differ. This could include surgery, eyeglasses, and Botox injection.
- Streff Syndrome: This occurs when both near and far vision starts to worsen. This is a rare condition, but, must be treated as soon as possible.
- Other eye problems include amblyopia, conjunctivitis, and retinitis pigmentosa.
It cannot be stressed enough that treating eye related issues is extremely vital for both children and adults. Children need more attention as any vision problems can lead to poor performance and learning disabilities. It is extremely crucial that children get the treatment at the right time. Frequent eye exams are a way to determine any visionary problems at an early stage. Note that vision screening done at the school or by a pediatrician is only a general visual screening. You must consult an eye care practitioner or optometrist from time to time to detect any serious eye related conditions and treat it as soon as possible.
If you are concerned about your child’s vision, schedule an appointment with a kids optometrist in Centralia at Innovations in Eyecare today. Call (360) 736-7385 to learn more.