*हिंदी में पढ़ें: कैसे जानें कि आपके बच्चे को चश्मे की आवश्यकता है
Good eyesight and a well-rounded childhood go hand in hand. So much in this learning stage of little children’s lives depends on their ability to see clearly. The efficiency of daily activities like playing, reading, walking, writing, etc., all depends on children’s eyesight.
Childhood is a golden period full of exploration and learning, be it school life or simply having fun. All in all, good vision is a crucial requisite to meet school curriculum demands and enjoy a good quality of life.
🚨 So when your child starts squinting at screens, rubbing their eyes, and complaining of headaches – don’t take these signs lightly; they could be pointing to weakening eyesight.
In this blog, we are going to discuss 7 signs your child may be in desperate need of a visit to the ophthalmologist.
*Note: Myopia is the most common refractive error among young children. It often goes unnoticed at first. However, early detection & timely management can significantly slow down progression.
1. Squinting
Does your child often squint to try to see distant objects clearly? Does he/she need to sit on the first bench at school to be able to jot down notes, or else they’ll spend the whole period just squinting their eyes and scrunching their nose?
This is the first telltale sign of refractive errors (weak eyesight problems) of myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism. The reason squinting helps your child see clearly even when they have begun developing myopia is that the action reduces scattered light entering the eye, temporarily improving focus and making distant objects appear clearer.
However, this is neither practical nor healthy in the long run. So if you notice this sign, schedule an appointment with a trusted eye doctor at the earliest.
2. Sitting Extremely Close to the TV
Has your child started sitting closer to the TV recently? Or are they holding their books a little too close to their eyes?
Sitting too close to screens or holding an object at close proximity eliminates the need to squint to see clearly, so a lot of children with uncorrected myopia often exhibit this particular sign.
3. Eye Rubbing
Eye rubbing is generally associated with being tired or sleepy, but if your child starts rubbing their eyes way more frequently during study sessions or while trying to focus on an object, they may be suffering from worsening eyesight.
Eye rubbing is quite common among children who don’t have the skills to communicate a problem with their vision. So, trying to “rub the unclear vision away” is something many 3-4-year-olds do when they are unable to see clearly.
4. Closing One Eye
If your child often closes one eye to be able to focus on an object, it points to a refractive error. This is a sign that both of his/her eyes are not functioning well together.
While in most cases, this is an indication of an uncorrected refractive error, it could also be a sign of a binocular vision issue (example: convergence insufficiency). Closing one eye enables the stronger eye to focus on the object and achieve clear vision.
5. Headaches
Does your child often complain of headaches after studying or screen time? Children who may have developed nearsightness, farsightedness, or a cylindrical power experience this symptom if their refractive errors are not addressed using appropriate corrective methods (eyeglasses).
Headaches are a natural byproduct of the extra work your child’s eye muscles have to put in to focus on the objects and images in front of them.
6. Difficulty While Reading
Skipping lines, halting, or missing words while reading is an indication of unclear vision.
Common refractive errors and other vision issues can make reading difficult, especially if not corrected promptly. This can cause a hindrance to your child’s academic performance, too.
7. Poor Coordination or Increased Clumsiness
If your child’s teacher suddenly starts complaining about them ‘bumping into things’ or ‘tripping’ during class activities – it could be a sign of weak eyesight. While this is not very common, it can happen to children whose refractive errors go unnoticed and uncorrected for long periods.
When to See a Doctor?
Ideally, your child must have regular eye exams in the following pattern:
- 1st eye checkup: Newborn (basic eye check-up)
- Comprehensive eye exam: 6-12 months (biannual)
- Vision screening: 3-5 years (annual)
- Every 1-2 years: School-age children
Your child needs regular eye checkups regardless of whether you suspect weak eyesight symptoms or not. However, if they do experience any of the above-listed symptoms, it is important to get them the right care immediately. With prompt medical attention by a trusted pediatric eye doctor in Chandigarh, their myopia (or other refractive errors) can be stopped from fast progression.
Sohana Hospital, Sector 77, Mohali, has a dedicated Myopia Management Clinic where highly experienced experts ensure your child’s eyes receive the best care. Myopia progression can be delayed through a series of advanced myopia control treatments & therapies.
Ensure a bright future for your little ones – prioritise their eye health today!
