According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6.8% of children in the United States younger than 18 have a diagnosed eye and vision condition. That number includes only those who have been diagnosed. Children everywhere are suffering from problems with their vision that you may not have noticed yet. That is why it is important to understand the possible signs your child may present.
How To Recognize If Your Child May Have Problems With Their Vision
You may not have considered that your child might need a solution for vision problems. At Carithers Pediatric Group, we can help you notice the signs, so the problem does not go undetected. This and the annual physical examination can ensure your child’s vision is considered. We start screening vision as young as 15 months of age!
They Avoid Reading Altogether
Maybe your child has started to avoid reading altogether. This is not always connected to their vision; however, it is important to pay attention because the cause could still be their vision. If your child states that they truly do not want to read, it may be because they would prefer to be doing something else. However, some cases result from feeling like they can’t read well due to vision problems.
They Turn Their Head From Side To Side
You may notice that your child has started shifting their head from side to side as they focus on something. This can be a sign of astigmatism, which is a refractive error. When this is noticed and observed, the condition can be treated without the issue becoming too serious.
They Have Trouble Concentrating
Your child might even start to have trouble concentrating when they are trying to read something. This may be a sign that their vision prohibits them from successfully making it through the material. When a child suffers from vision problems, it can lead to a shorter attention span, making it hard for them to concentrate. This lack of concentration may present itself as the child losing their place while reading.
They Complain Of Pain or Irritation
Often, the child cannot comprehend the feeling of vision problems and equates it to pain and irritation instead. If they begin to comment about this, it may be a definite sign that something is going on with their vision. This is a great opportunity to discuss the pain with your child’s doctor to conduct further testing on the health of their vision.
They Squint
You may notice that your child starts to squint when looking at screens or reading a book. Children do this when they have trouble reading or focusing because of their eyes. If your child has not been squinting before, it can be a gateway to asking them why they feel like they have to squint. This can give you clarity on how they are feeling about their vision.
Vision problems in children may seem difficult to notice. However, if you know what to look for, you can begin to see if your child is displaying these characteristics. Catching this early can give them a solution from a young age to get used to things such as glasses and contact lenses. Do you suspect problems with your child’s vision? Carithers Pediatric Group is a great resource for testing this to see if your child needs to see a specialist and providing you with more materials to start this journey in the most productive way. Check out our website or give us a call for more information.