Parents typically try to do what they can to keep their kids healthy—ensuring they eat the right foods, get enough sleep, and stay active. But how often do they think about their vision? Probably not as often as they should. Healthy vision plays a crucial role in learning, social development, and even sports performance, yet it’s easy to overlook. So, let’s break down the basics so parents have the knowledge they need to protect their child’s visual health.
Signs Your Child Might Have a Vision Problem
Kids can develop vision issues very early in life, but they aren’t always great at expressing when something’s wrong. Because it’s so easy for these issues to go undetected, it’s up to parents to look for clues. Some signs that could indicate a vision issue include:
- Squinting or tilting their head to see better
- Complaints of headaches or tired eyes
- Holding books or screens too close
- Rubbing their eyes frequently
- Avoiding reading or close-up work
- Difficulty staying focused in school
Of course, this is not a comprehensive list. Parents know their child best, so at any time if there is a question or concern about the possibility of a problem, they should get their vision examined by a professional.
Eye Exams: When and How Often?
Many parents assume that if their child passes a school vision screening, their eyes are fine. Unfortunately, school screenings only catch some vision issues—they don’t replace a comprehensive vision exam by an eye doctor. Additionally, exams should actually begin long before a child reaches school age. The American Optometric Association recommends:
- First eye exam: 6 months – 12 months old
- Second eye exam: Age 3 – 5 years old
- Third eye exam: Before starting school
- After that: Annually, or as recommended by your optometrist
Regular vision exams help catch problems early, which is key to successful treatment. Keeping to this schedule is one of the most important ways you can protect your child’s eyesight and help to ensure healthy vision for their lifetime.
The Impact of Screen Time on Young Eyes
Let’s be honest—screens are everywhere. While technology has its benefits, too much screen time can lead to digital eye strain, which can cause dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. To help protect your child’s eyes from damaging digital screens:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, have them look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Limit recreational screen time, especially before bedtime.
- Encourage outdoor play—natural daylight has been shown to help slow the progression of nearsightedness!
Protecting Their Eyes from Injuries
From sports to science experiments, kids are constantly on the move, and accidents happen. Eye injuries are one of the leading causes of vision loss in children, but many can be prevented with protective eyewear. If your child plays sports like basketball, soccer, or baseball, get them a pair of impact-resistant sports goggles before they take the field or court.
Sunglasses Aren’t Just for Adults
UV rays from the sun can harm children’s eyes just as much as they do ours. In fact, kids’ eyes are even more sensitive to UV exposure. Parents should make sure their child wears sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection whenever they’re outside, even on cloudy days.
Vision Therapy: More Than Just Glasses
If your child struggles with reading, has trouble tracking words across a page, or has frequent headaches, they might have a functional vision issue that goes beyond needing glasses. Vision therapy, a specialized program designed to train and strengthen the connection between the eyes and brain, can help vastly improve issues like eye coordination and tracking.
We are the Best Resource for Parents when it Comes to Kids’ Vision
At Family Vision Development Center, we are dedicated to protecting the visual health of our young patients. We have advanced training in specialized vision therapy techniques, plus extensive knowledge in treating the vision conditions that kids often experience. We take the time to make sure parents understand the treatment options available for their kids, and are always willing to answer important questions about their visual health. Contact our Aurora office at 630-862-2020 to schedule an appointment.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.