If your child has vision problems, it can disrupt their experience in school and in daily life. However, a child may not always be able to tell you if something is wrong with their eyesight. That’s why it’s crucial to understand eye health so you can get your child the help they need if they do have a vision problem. Here are five signs your child may need glasses.

Signs of Vision Problems in Children

1. Sitting Too Close

If your child frequently sits close to the television and computer or holds their phone or tablet very close to their face, they may have poor vision. People who are nearsighted can see clearly when objects are in close range but have trouble seeing things far away. Bringing an object closer to the face makes it bigger and clearer. 

2. Headaches & Discomfort

A child with untreated vision problems may complain about eye pain or headaches at the end of the day. This can happen if they’re overexerting their eyes in an effort to focus blurred vision. 

3. Difficulty Concentrating

A child who can’t focus their eyes on a book or worksheet will also have trouble focusing their attention. School assignments are more strenuous for children who can’t see well, so they get tired, bored, and distracted more easily. If your child is having trouble focusing in school, it could be an indicator that they need glasses. 

4. Rubbing Eyes

In preverbal children, you may not be able to ask about headaches or blurry vision, but you can watch their nonverbal cues. A child who often rubs their eyes is having discomfort, blurriness, or both. 

5. Squinting & Tilting

If you frequently notice your child squinting or tilting their head, it could indicate that they have a refractive error. This affects how well their eyes can focus on an image. By squinting or adjusting their head to a different angle, they may be able to temporarily improve the clarity of an object. 

If you think your child has undetected vision problems and may need glasses, take them in for an eye exam at Graham Optical in Greenwood, AR. Dr. Graham has over 50 years of experience testing adults’ and children’s vision and providing glasses if needed so they can see the world clearly. To make an appointment, call (479) 996-2441 or send the team a message online.