Month: August 2016
4 Hidden Signs of Vision Problems in Kids
4 Hidden Signs of Vision Problems in Kids
As summer winds down, families of school-aged children scramble to get backpacks, clothes and other supplies ready for the new school year. But one of the most important yet often overlooked necessities is healthy vision.
As children grow and change from year to year, so do their eyes and vision. School demands intense visual involvement, including reading, writing,computer and chalkboard/smartboard work. Even physical education andsports require strong vision. If their eyes aren’t up to the task, a child may feel tired, have trouble concentrating, and have problems in school.
Sometimes parents can tell if their child has a vision problem. For instance, their child may squint, hold reading material very close to their face, or complain about things appearing blurry. Here are four signs that could point to possible vision problems in kids.
Having a short attention span.
Losing their place when reading.
Avoiding reading and other close activities.
Turning their head to the side.
Success in school is closely tied to eye health. That’s why it is so important for kids to have regular eye screenings with an ophthalmologist or another professional who is properly trained to assess vision in school-aged children. The earlier a vision problem is found and treated, the better off your child will be—in and out of school.
EYE CARE FOR CHILDREN…
EYE CARE FOR YOUR CHILD…
Children are growing and are actively engaged in the process of learning, at home and at school – learning about themselves, their environment and the people around them. They are developing mentally, physically, emotionally and socially as well. The five senses – sight, feeling, taste, audition and smell, are the primary tools that enable them to connect with their environment and facilitate their learning process. The eyes (and sense of sight) are especially vital for the learning process to be complete and effective.
At birth, the eyes of a child are well developed, however, so many of the various visual functions are absent and will be learned/developed as he grows and is exposed to the right stimuli. The development of these visual functions should not be taken for granted. A routine eye exam/screening is thus necessary for your child, probably every year and whenever your child has any complaints. During a routine eye screening, any delayed development or problem that your child may have can be detected and resolved immediately. This is important because early treatment in children almost always guarantees a resolution or even reversal of the situation since they are still growing, unlike in adult cases.
As a parent/guardian, you may notice some behaviours in your child/ward that suggests that the child doesn’t see the way he should – squinting eyes to focus, tilting of the head to read/write, reluctance to read altogether – please do not ignore these signs. If your child has complaints, do not ignore them or treat them lightly because it may lead the child to suffer in silence for something that can easily be resolved. In cases of trauma/accidents on the head/face, please ensure that the impact on the eye is assessed by an eye care professional. Healthy eye care habits such as reading with the appropriate lighting, moderate screen (TV, computer) exposure time, and regular hand washing must be adhered to.
Poor vision in children will definitely affect their learning experience, academic output and even social disposition. Ensure that your child has all the tools he needs to excel at school and in life; plan to have his/her eyes screened routinely.
SILVERSPRING EYE CLINIC 