Does Your Child Need an Eye Exam? Signs That Indicate They Might

As parents, we want to ensure our children are healthy, happy, and thriving. While annual pediatric check-ups often include basic vision screenings, they may not catch all potential vision issues. Undiagnosed vision problems can impact your child’s academic performance, social development, and overall well-being.

Signs Your Child May Need an Eye Exam

1. Frequent Squinting or Covering One Eye

Squinting or covering one eye may be your child’s way of trying to improve their focus or reduce double vision. This behavior can indicate conditions like astigmatism, amblyopia (lazy eye), or strabismus (crossed eyes).

2. Complaints of Headaches or Eye Strain

Does your child often complain of headaches or tired eyes after reading or screen time? These symptoms could suggest uncorrected refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or focusing issues.

3. Trouble in School

Poor grades or difficulty concentrating in class may not always be due to behavioral or learning challenges. Vision problems can make it hard for children to read the board, follow along with books, or complete assignments.

4. Sitting Too Close to Screens

If your child habitually sits very close to the TV or holds a tablet just inches from their face, they might be struggling with nearsightedness (myopia), a common vision issue that often begins in childhood.

5. Clumsiness or Poor Hand-Eye Coordination

Frequent trips, bumps, or difficulty catching a ball could signal a vision issue affecting depth perception or peripheral vision.

6. Red, Watery, or Itchy Eyes

Eye discomfort, redness, or excessive tearing may indicate allergies, eye strain, or even an underlying infection. It’s also possible your child could be dealing with dry eye or other ocular surface conditions.

7. Frequent Rubbing of Eyes

Persistent eye rubbing is another sign your child may be experiencing eye strain, fatigue, or blurry vision.

Why Regular Eye Exams Are Essential

Even if your child isn’t displaying obvious symptoms, regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for detecting hidden vision problems. Many conditions, such as amblyopia or early stages of myopia, may not have noticeable symptoms but can still affect your child’s vision development.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that children have their first eye exam around six months of age, another at age three, and then annually once they begin school. Early detection can prevent vision issues from worsening and help set your child up for success in and out of the classroom.

Book Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

At Park Optometry, we specialize in pediatric eye care and provide thorough, child-friendly eye exams to ensure your little one’s vision is healthy and developing properly. Whether your child needs prescription glasses, myopia management, or treatment for a specific condition, we’re here to help them see clearly and live confidently.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs or it’s been a while since your child’s last eye exam, schedule an appointment with Park Optometry to give your child the clear vision they deserve. Visit our office in Ukiah, California, or call (707) 313-8019 today.