Healthy vision is extremely important to a child’s development and well-being. Here is a guide to kids vision problems and why you need schedule regular visits to the children’s eye doctor.
Vision plays a crucial role in every aspect of a child’s development so it’s important to ensure their eyes stay healthy. As a parent, it’s important to schedule regular check-ups with a children’s eye doctor because uncorrected vision problems can:
- hinder a child’s development
- interfere with learning
- lead to poor social development and athletic performance
- result in vision loss
4 Children’s Vision Problems Parents Must Watch Out For
Besides testing for common vision problems such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism, a children’s eye doctor will examine your child’s eyes for signs of these other, more serious, vision problems:
1. Amblyopia
More commonly known as ‘lazy eye’, amblyopia is a leading cause of vision loss in children. It results in decreased vision in one or both eyes that isn’t correctable by contact lenses or glasses. Early detection through eye exam is crucial in diagnosing and treating lazy eye and treatment options include wearing an eye patch or using eye drops.
2. Focusing Problems
Children who have a focusing problem tend to have difficulty changing focus from distance to near and back again. They may also demonstrate difficulty maintaining adequate focus for reading. If detected early by a qualified children’s eye doctor, this can be successfully treated with vision therapy.
3. Strabismus
Strabismus, or what is often referred to as ‘crossed eyes’ is a misalignment of the eyes resulting from a lack of coordination of the eye muscles. Because this vision problem can be difficult to detect, comprehensive children’s eye exams are necessary to detect and treat the condition, preventing possible vision loss.
4. Convergence Insufficiency
This refers to an inability to keep the eye comfortably aligned for near tasks such as reading. If detected early through an eye exam, a children’s eye doctor can treat it successfully with vision therapy and develop a specific program of eye exercises for your child’s needs.
4 Tips For Protecting Your Child’s Vision
While there are certain vision conditions that you cannot prevent, it’s important to teach your child healthy habits from a young age to help protect their vision. Here are 4 simple ways to start:
- Take your child for regular visits to the children’s eye doctor. Not only does this result in clearer vision, but also in better school performance and reduced symptoms of vision-related problems such as headaches and short attention spans.
- Encourage your little one to wear sunglasses. Sunglasses are essential for protecting your child’s eyes against harmful UV rays and its consequences such as eye sunburn or dry eyes.
- Make sure your family eats a healthy diet. A well-rounded diet that includes vegetables, nuts, and oily fish is essential for boosting eye health and protecting your child’s vision.
- Show your child how to look after their eyeglasses. Keeping eyeglasses in good condition is crucial to ensure vision correction works. Teach your child how to clean and store their spectacles and make sure to get a case where they can put their glasses when they’re not wearing them.
Teaching Your Child Good Eye Care
Call Today
At Market Mall Optometry, our qualified eye doctors offer comprehensive children’s eye services including eye exams, eye emergency care, and contact lens fittings, to ensure that your little one’s vision remains healthy, clear, and comfortable.
Want to know more?
To find out more about how our children’s eye doctors can help protect your child’s vision and ensure the long-term health of their eyes, contact our Calgary eye clinic today at 403-286-4884 or book a contact lens fitting today.
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