A child who cannot see properly may have difficulty keeping up with other kids both socially and emotionally. This is because poor eyesight may make it harder to read, tie shoes or perform a variety of tasks that most take for granted. What are some ways to determine if your child has poor vision?
Your Child Squints When Tying To Focus On An Object
Your son or daughter may start to squint or otherwise start to strain when trying to focus on an object. This may be true whether the object is a chalkboard at the front of the class or text in a book a few inches from the child’s face. If you notice squinting of any kind, it may be a good idea to go to the eye doctor.
Your Child May Seem Clumsy Or Uncoordinated
You likely know how hard it can be to walk to the bathroom or the kitchen for a glass of water when the house is dark. In such a scenario, you may stumble into a wall or trip on an object on the floor. When a child has trouble seeing, he or she may stumble a lot or walk into things that others can see clearly. If your child seems clumsy or uncoordinated, it is worth asking if poor vision may be the culprit.
Your Child May Have Behavior Problems
Children don’t have the emotional or verbal maturity to articulate their problems as well as an adult can. Therefore, they may lash out or get in trouble because they are frustrated about their lack of eyesight. Talking to your child’s physician or to the child him or herself may determine if vision issues may be leading to behavioral ones.
Take Your Child For An Eye Exam Regularly
It may be in your best interest to take your child to an eye care professional, like those at All About Eyes, for an eye exam every year or so. This will help catch any issues that your child may have without the need for those issues to escalate into something bigger. In most cases, eyeglasses or contacts may solve any problem that you child has with his or her vision.
To a child, a lack of eyesight can be embarrassing or awkward to bring up. As a parent, it is your job to assure your child that there is nothing to be ashamed of and that many people need glasses or contacts. Typically, a child will see an increase in confidence as better eyesight translates into a more independent lifestyle.