Being attentive to your child’s health and well-being is vital. One aspect that you must not overlook is their vision. Visual impairments can significantly affect their development, learning abilities, and quality of life. 

Routine eye exams can help with some vision problems. However, awareness of the signs and symptoms that may indicate your child needs glasses is vital. Read on to learn why your child might need glasses and the signs and symptoms to look out for.

Squinting and Frequent Eye Rubbing

Your child may have a refractive error if you notice them squinting regularly. It often occurs when they try to focus on objects or people in the distance. Squinting helps temporarily improve focus by reducing the amount of light entering the eyes. If your child also frequently rubs their eyes, it could be due to eyestrain caused by an uncorrected vision problem.

Frequent Headaches or Eye Fatigue

Children with vision problems often experience frequent headaches or eye fatigue. Straining to see objects clearly can lead to eye muscle fatigue, causing discomfort and headaches. You may need to consider an eye examination if your child complains of headaches, especially when performing visually demanding tasks like reading.

Difficulty Reading or Poor Academic Performance 

Undiagnosed vision problems can significantly impact your child’s academic performance. Your child may have vision issues if they struggle to read or exhibit disinterest in reading. They may find it challenging to focus on the text, lose their place while reading, or experience blurred or double vision. These difficulties can lead to a lack of comprehension, slower reading speed, and academic performance decline.

Sitting Too Close to the TV or Holding Objects Too Close 

Observing your child’s viewing distance can provide insights into their vision health. They may be nearsighted if they sit too close to the TV or holds toys or books unusually close to their face. Myopia or nearsightedness causes distant objects to appear blurry, making it necessary for the child to bring items closer for better clarity.

Eye Misalignment or Lazy Eye 

Misalignment of the eyes, also known as strabismus, can cause double vision or amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye. One eye may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward while the other remains straight. 

A lazy eye occurs when the brain favors one eye over the other due to misalignment. It results in reduced visual acuity in the weaker eye. Consult an eye care professional if you notice any signs of eye misalignment or if your child complains of double vision.

Light Sensitivity and Excessive Tearing 

Light sensitivity and tearing can be linked to various conditions. It is also a sign of a vision problem. Your child may have a refractive error or an underlying condition if they constantly complain of light sensitivity or their eyes become excessively teary. Eyestrain from trying to focus leads to watery eyes.

Difficulty Recognizing Faces or Objects 

Difficulty recognizing faces or objects could mean your child has a vision impairment. Blurred or distorted vision can make identifying familiar faces or objects challenging. It can negatively impact their social interactions. It can hinder their ability to navigate their environment and affect their visual perception skills.

For more on why your child might need glasses, visit Alpha Eye Group at our offices in Philadelphia, Wyomissing, Bethlehem Township, Doylestown, or Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Call (215) 698-7760, (610) 376-7272, (610) 866-1000, (215) 878-7181, (215) 230-4060, or (610) 941-9780 to book an appointment today.