Simple vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, affect about 1 in 4 kids under the age of 18. These conditions are most commonly developed and detected during puberty, between the ages of 11-15, when a child’s eyes, just like their bodies, are changing the most.
Simple Signs That Indicate Your Child May Need Glasses
Your child may need corrective lenses if he/she is often doing 1 or more of the following things:
- squinting
- tilting their head
- standing or sitting directly in front of the television
- holding their book close to their face
- losing their place while reading
- problems spotting large objects from far away
- excessive tearing
- excessive rubbing of their eyes
- headaches
Limit Your Child’s Screen Time
Unfortunately, not all eye problems are hereditary. Some eye problems, like Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), may develop with time. If your child spends more than 2 hours in front of a screen each day, they may be at risk of developing CVS. CVS can be corrected with special eyewear made specifically for computer users, but the side effects aren’t very pleasant and could cause your child some extra trouble in school. Side effects of CVS include itchy, dry eyes, blurring, tearing, headaches, double vision, aching eyes and light sensitivity. When possible, limiting your child’s screen time to an hour each day is considered a healthy allowance for most young eyes.
Caring for Your Child’s Eyes
Caring for your child’s eyes requires you to schedule frequent check-ups, at least once per year, with an eye doctor, optometrist or ophthalmologist. Routine check-ups will provide important information about the health of your child’s eyes and keep their prescription up-to-date so that seeing–even from the back of a crowded classroom–won’t be a problem. Caring for your child’s eyes also requires you to know where to look to find a great pair of glasses. Quality eyewear is available at an affordable price from many online sources, such as Marvel Optics.
As a parent, we know that you already have a lot on your plate. Keeping an eye out for these signs that your son or daughter might need glasses will keep them feeling their best and make things a little bit easier for you, too!
