Vision is critical to a child’s learning, growth and development, especially in the first three to six years of life. Good eyesight helps improve eye-hand-body coordination, fine motor skills and visual perceptual abilities, which are necessary to read and write.
Unfortunately, young children may not realize they have a vision problem, which is why parents need to be especially vigilant about their children’s visual health. Today, Park Slope Eye, an eyeglasses specialist, shares the top signs of vision problems in young children.
Signs of Childhood Vision Problems
Is your child squinting or tilting their head to see better? Do they complain about tired eyes and headaches? These are early signs that could indicate an underlying eye problem, so you should never ignore them. You may also notice that your child sits very close to the television. Excessive tearing, watery eyes and light sensitivity are also common red flags.
Refractive Errors
Most refractive errors can be diagnosed during childhood and are typically easily managed through eyeglasses or contact lenses. Early detection is necessary to prevent farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism from disrupting a child’s healthy growth and development. Visit a pediatric eye doctor to help treat these refractive errors.
Comprehensive Eye Exam: Why It Matters
Your children may participate in school-based vision screening programs to detect eyesight problems, but more complex vision issues can go undetected during a vision screening. The best way to identify childhood vision problems is to consult a pediatric eye specialist. They can help assess your child’s visual acuity, binocular coordination, proper eye movement and focusing abilities. Your child should undergo their first comprehensive eye exam at six months of age, with additional exams every two or three years.
Turn to Park Slope Eye for your dry eye treatment and other eye care services. Call us today at (347) 380-7070 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment. We serve residents of Brooklyn, NY.