5 signs your child needs glasses

Did you know that the signs of poor eyesight are similar in children and adults? However, because children and adults often engage in different sorts of activities, trouble seeing can manifest in different ways. 

Take a look at these 5 telltale signs that your child (or you!) might need glasses, and learn why it's important to take corrective action right away.

Undetected sight issues can be developmentally damaging to young children, both physically and mentally. Trouble seeing means trouble reading and learning in school.

excessive eye rubbing

While it's normal to rub your eyes if something's stuck in there, or if your tired, if you notice your child rubbing their eyes more than usual, or at other times, it could be a sign they need eyeglasses to correct blurred vision.

They could also have an eye infection, like conjunctivitis, that makes their eyes itchy - hence the rubbing. If you notice excessive redness or gunk, schedule a trip to the doctor for antibiotics. Letting infections run their course can lead to damaged sight in the long run, so make sure your child gets treated.​

squinting to see things

If your child is having trouble seeing - near or far - they may try squinting to compensate. Pay attention to how your child behaves when trying to read or focus on something in the distance. 

too close to screens

Sitting very close to screens is another sign that your child should undergo a vision test. They may hold a screen or book very close to their face, or sit very close to the television in order to see.

trouble concentrating at school

If your child can't read what's on the board at school, or has trouble reading their homework, it will make school work that much more difficult. Eyesight issues can lead to academic problems - problems easily avoided with glasses. Don't let sight issues prevent your child from excelling academically. Eyesight problems can crop up at any time - not just in younger or older children. So, before assuming the worst, ask your child if they're having trouble seeing at school.

complaining about headaches

Both children and adults with untreated eyesight problems will often strain to see, as I mentioned before, which can lead to tension headaches. Tension headaches result from overuse of the muscles in and around the eyes. Blurred vision requires extra effort to focus, leading to pain in the afternoon and the evening. Whether focusing on whiteboards, computers, tablets, or textbooks, our eyes grow weary.

Did you have seeing problems that cropped up during childhood? How did you know?