Good vision is essential for children to reach their full potential. More than 80% of information children receive about the world comes through their eyes. Vision problems can severely impact on a child’s educational, physical and social development.
As children spend a large amount of time at home completing homework, reading, playing video games and watching television, parents play a crucial role in identifying vision problems. It is important to identify the signs early.
The following behaviours may indicate a visual problem and a comprehensive eye examination should be performed.
- Eyes blink frequently
- Eyes frequently red
- Eyes water
- Eyes very sensitive to light
- Rubs eyes frequently
- Complains of headaches
- Complains of blurred or double vision
- Complains of eyes burning or itching
- One eye turns in or out
- Poor concentration
- Squinting while watching TV
- Holds a book very close to read it
- Loses place while reading
- Positions head strangely when reading
- Misses or confuses words when reading
- Slow in learning to read
- Covers or closes one eye when reading
- Tilts head when looking at things
- Poor sporting ability
- Trouble seeing in the distance
The Optometrists Association Australia recommends that children have an eye examination every 2 years throughout their schooling.