Children’s Vision
One in five children have an undetected eye problem, which can be easily found by an Optometrist during an Eye Examination. Your child’s vision can change rapidly as their young eyes develop, so regular Eye Examinations are important for your child’s vision and health. Some of the most common symptoms of problems with a child’s eyesight are:
- Squinting, closing or covering one eye
- Holding books close to his or her head
- Losing his or her place while reading
- Headache, nausea or dizziness
- Excessive clumsiness
- Tilting his or her head to one side
- Frequent daydreaming
- Using a finger as a place-mark while reading
- Performing below potential
- Rubbing eyes repeatedly
If you notice any of these symptoms, make sure your child sees an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye examination. Keep in mind that not all problems can be diagnosed by you or a school nurse; only an eye doctor has the training and equipment to catch everything. If eye problems are detected early enough we can help to ensure they have minimum impact on the child’s life.
Your child’s first eye check is usually a post-natal check at 1 year. They should then be re-examined before they start school by an Optometrist. This will pick up any problems that may lead to poor development at school. Many children fall behind at school because of an undetected vision problem.
For more information regarding pediatric eyecare at New Vision Eye Clinic read about laser surgery for strabismus and ambylopia, or lazy eye.