4 Signs Your Child May Need Glasses

The NHS recommends that your child should get their eyes tested every 2 years to check for any new problems, but with busy lives taking hold it can be easily forgotten. An undetected vision problem can cause children to fall behind in school, as they may struggle to see the board, or have a hard time focusing on their work. Therefore, it’s a good idea to book regular eye tests to keep on top of any potential vision issues that may arise.

If you’re not sure what to look out for, here’s 4 warning signs that may indicate your child needs glasses:

Squinting

When a child can’t see something clearly, they tend to squint in an attempt to improve their vision. This can work by changing the shape of the eye, but only for a moment. Squinting helps improve vision by effectively making a pinhole, reducing the size of the blurred image on the back of the retina – similar to looking through a small opening, like a peephole. If your child starts squinting a lot whilst looking at the board at school, the television, or anything else, it could be a sign of vision problems, and an eye test should be booked.

Sitting too close to the television

Have you noticed that your child has started sitting very close to the television? It could be a sign of near-sightedness. This is when they can see clearly up close, but they have poor vision from a distance. By sitting closer to the object, they can bring the blurry image into focus and see it clearly. Your child may also hold electronic devices or books closer to their face, to make them appear larger, improving the clarity of them.

Headaches

Whilst common headaches in your child should always be checked out by a doctor as it can be caused by several things, it’s worth noting that it’s another common symptom of farsightedness. This results from the excess strain children place on their eyes through squinting and trying to improve their vision.

Trouble Concentrating on Schoolwork & Reading

Sometimes children with vision problems can display similar symptoms to behavioural conditions such as ADHD. This is due to the difficulty in concentrating when their vision is not clear, so they can get easily distracted. Aside from lack of concentration, another common symptom is limited reading skills. They may struggle reading the same paragraph repeatedly, indicating that their vision may be an issue, as opposed to their actual comprehension levels. If your child starts displaying a lack of concentration, book an eye test first to rule out any vision problems that may be causing these symptoms.

Don’t forget that it’s no longer mandatory for schools to hold their own eye tests with 70% of schools no longer having any form of eye test. Check if your child’s school runs eye screening. If the school doesn’t offer any eye tests, you should make it a priority to book your child an appointment.

Did you know that all children’s eye tests are FREE on the NHS? You can EVEN get money towards the cost of their glasses. There’s no excuse for not booking an appointment!

At Harrold Opticians and Chilton Watson, we go the extra mile to ensure your little one feels completely at ease while their eyes are being cared for. Make sure your child reaches their full potential by booking them an eye test today (link to children’s eye test page)

Don’t forget that it’s no longer mandatory for schools to hold their own eye tests with 70% of schools no longer having any form of eye test. Check if your child’s school runs eye screening. If the school doesn’t offer any eye tests, you should make it a priority to book your child an appointment.

Did you know that all children’s eye tests are FREE on the NHS? You can EVEN get money towards the cost of their glasses. There’s no excuse for not booking an appointment!

At Harrold Opticians and Chilton Watson, we go the extra mile to ensure your little one feels completely at ease while their eyes are being cared for. Make sure your child reaches their full potential by booking them an eye test today !