this is a collaborative post
As parents, we regularly worry about the health of our children. When they are very young, we sometimes fear that they cannot hear properly and will miss out on crucial developmental steps. As they get older, we worry that they are not growing tall enough or putting on weight.
While these concerns are natural, we must always be vigilant. Children’s health issues can have effects that last a lifetime.
Keeping tabs on your child’s eyesight is essential. As a parent, your priority is to ensure that their vision remains sound and that they get the glasses they need if they have problems. You can read more about this if you click here.
But how do you monitor your child’s eyesight? What signs should you be looking out for that indicate that something might be wrong?
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Regular Eye Rubbing
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Young children tend to rub their eyes a lot for one reason or another. But if you notice excessive rubbing, it could signify that something is genuinely wrong with their eyes. Pay close attention to rubbing or blinking while reading, as this could indicate they are struggling to focus on the text.
Problems Following Objects In Flight
Most kids can track objects in flight with their eyes, such as a tennis ball. Children with eyesight problems, however, can’t focus as well.
Eventually, most children can learn to catch objects you throw to them. But if your kid doesn’t, then it suggests a deeper problem with their vision. It might not just be a lack of hand-eye coordination.
Loses Place While Reading
Reading requires focusing on one word and then moving onto the next in sequence. But if a child has poor eyesight, they can find this a challenge.
Homework Takes Longer Than It Should
A similar principle applies when it comes to doing homework. Kids who cannot see very well have to spend longer on basic tasks, double-checking their work. Everything takes longer, from comprehending the instructions to actually writing down the answers. Homework shouldn’t take much more than an hour. If it does, it indicates that there’s something wrong.
Complaints About Sore Eyes
Having to concentrate super hard every time you look at something is exhausting. Kids with eyesight problems, therefore, will often complain that they lack energy or feel tired.
If your child says this to you, ask them precisely what is causing them to feel so worn out. If they refer to their eyes, then it might be time to schedule an eye exam.
Unfortunately, most children don’t complain when they have problems seeing. Most just assume that their vision is normal, and there’s nothing they can do to improve it. Plus, self-diagnosing is difficult because they’ve never experienced anything different. Therefore, parents need to keep a close eye on their children’s eyesight and look for anomalies. If you know the signs to look for, it is relatively easy to identify.
Ideally, kids should have an eye exam around once per year. And they should get their eyes checked for the first time at approximately six months.
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