Checklist for your child's eye health

Children’s eye health is a fundamental part of their growth and development. Unfortunately, it can be challenging for parents and teachers to recognize vision problems in children, as they often don’t know what to look for, or how to recognize behaviours that may be connected to a visual impairment. It can be equally difficult for children to communicate or recognize issues, as they may think that they see the world the way everyone does.

Despite having 20/20 vision, children can still suffer from various eye health problems, such as eye focusing, which can create frustration and lead to permanent learning consequences. According to the Ontario Association of Optometrists, one in four school-aged children has some form of vision problem.

Look out for these eye appearances and symptoms as an indication of your child having a vision problem:

Appearances:

• One eye that looks turned in or out

• Bumps, styes, redness, swelling, or crusting of eyelids

• Haziness or whitish appearance inside the pupil

• Frequently watery eyes

• Excessive blinking or squinting

Symptoms:

• Closing or covering an eye when looking at objects

• Losing place or using a finger to maintain place when reading

• Exhibiting a reading or learning problem

• Complaining of headaches, nausea and dizziness

• Avoiding reading, colouring, or activities up close

• Poor hand-eye coordination

No one can see through children’s eyes, except the children themselves. The best way to ensure your children have a bright future is by booking their eye exam with a Doctor of Optometry.

Eye See…Eye Learn is a free program offered by participating Doctors of Optometry, helping to identify vision problems in Ontario’s young children. The program provides eye exams and complimentary eyeglasses to Junior Kindergarten children, when needed.

For more information, visit EyeSeeEyeLearn.ca.