Vision plays a significant role in your child’s development and performance in the classroom. Untreated conditions can have many lasting side effects, so you should recognize when your child needs glasses. Below are common indications, as well as what you can both expect when you visit the eye doctor.

How to Tell If Your Child Needs Glasses

1. Squinting

Children squint to clear up blurry vision and compensate for one eye being weaker than the other. This act is most noticeable when they’re reading or watching TV, as the screen and words can become blurry from a distance.

There are several potential causes for squinting, and the first one is nearsightedness. This is when they have trouble seeing objects far away. Alternatively, they may have difficulty seeing objects up close, which is called farsightedness. Finally, your child may also have astigmatism, which occurs when their eyes have an abnormal curve. All of these issues are common and treatable with glasses.

An eye doctor will have your child read different-sized letters on a chart 20 feet away. This assesses how well they can see and diagnoses these refractive conditions. The eye doctor then applies lenses to determine your child’s glasses prescription.

2. Difficulty Concentrating & Reading

Children are constantly looking at objects from various distances. For example, at school they will likely read a chalkboard, scan a book on their desk, talk to a friend several seats over, and move their eyes to a notebook.

However, they may have trouble focusing and learning if their eyes aren’t adjusting quickly. They may also fall behind with reading and comprehension because they can’t see words clearly. You should address these vision needs early, as your child may struggle further in the classroom with poor vision.

3. Headaches

Squinting and compensating for weak vision exhausts the eyes and muscles. When this happens, children may develop headaches after a long day. Headaches can keep them out of activities and also be a distraction in the classroom.

Glasses come in many unique styles and colors for children. An optician will help your child explore fun options to find something that fits comfortably and they can feel confident wearing.

If you have concerns about your child’s vision, contact Sonoran Desert Eye Center. This Chandler, AZ, practice provides comprehensive eye testing and corrective services. Patients can explore a variety of glasses and contact lenses with the on-site optician. Visit them online for more information about their services, or connect on Facebook to receive more eye care tips. Call (480) 812-2211 to schedule an eye exam.