As we prepare for the start of the school year during the COVID-19 pandemic, some things will be very different this fall. But whether school is on-site or a blended learning environment, one certainty is the need for an eye exam. Many children’s eye conditions, as well as vision impairments, have warning signs and solutions. Protecting their eye health begins with a comprehensive eye exam, by recognizing the warning signs associated with eye conditions, and by acting on them with a visit to your child’s eye doctor.
Children suffering from vision problems or eye conditions are not too difficult to spot, if you know what to look for. Below are some telltale behaviors and signs to be on the lookout for, as they could indicate children experiencing vision problems.
Children's Vision Problem Warning Signs
Squinting, closing or covering one eye
Constantly holding materials close to the face
Tilting the head to one side
Rubbing eyes repeately
One or both eyes turned out
Redness or tearing in eyes
Premature birth
Developmental delays
Family History of lazy eye or “thick glasses”
A disease that affects the whole body (such as diabetes, sickle cell or HIV)
*Information obtained from The Vision Council.