At Eyes to See, we treat a variety of eye conditions in children. Some of these conditions can be difficult to spot, especially in toddlers and infants. Our goal in this post is to educate parents on eye conditions we’ve seen in kids and their symptoms so that they can know what to look for. Regardless of symptoms, all children should visit their pediatrician or family doctor for an eye exam at least once between the ages of 3 and 5 and once every 1-3 years moving forward if no abnormalities are found.
1. Refractive Errors
Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism (collectively known as refractive errors) are some of the most common vision issues in children. A few symptoms you may notice if your child has a refractive error are squinting, head-tilting, holding books or electronic devices close to their face, sitting extra close to TV or computer screens, and complaints of headaches or eye strain following visually demanding activities.
2. Amblyopia
Amblyopia is a condition in which one eye has poorer vision than the other, causing the brain to rely more on the eye with better sight while the vision in the weaker eye becomes worse. Some symptoms you might see if your child has amblyopia are squinting, head-tilting, eye rubbing, closing just one eye, difficulty focusing or paying attention, and difficulty doing close-up work (such as reading or math).
3. Strabismus
Another common vision issue in children is strabismus, which is caused by the eyes being misaligned, turned, or “crossed.” Some children are born with it, while others may develop it later. Either way, strabismus can lead to amblyopia or permanent loss of vision if left untreated, so it’s crucial to take your child to the eye doctor if you suspect they may have it. A few symptoms you might notice if your child has strabismus are head-tilting, an eye pointing inward, outward, upward, or downward, excessive or frequent squinting, and light sensitivity.
4. Nystagmus
A less common condition we’ve seen is nystagmus, which is characterized by rapid involuntary eye movements. Children can be born with it or it can be acquired later in life. Usually, the only noticeable symptom is that their eyes repeatedly and quickly move from side to side, up and down, or in a circle.
Your child should see an eye care professional promptly if any issues, complaints, or changes in vision arise. Often, the earlier a condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. Even if no symptoms are present, kids should have their eyes checked by their family doctor or pediatrician at least one time between the ages of 3 and 5, and once every 1-3 years after that if no issues are found.
Thank you for reading and we hope that you found this post informative. We understand it can be frightening to hear that there could be issues with your child’s eyes. However, knowing what signs and symptoms to look for equips you to take the best care of them and get them the help that they may need. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, give us a call at 616-796-9995 so that we can discuss the next steps for their unique situation.
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