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Children's Eye Care
It is important to note that 80% of lifetime exposure to the sun occurs by the age of 18. The risk of UV exposure is greater in the young because they have larger pupils, allowing more light into the eyes.
They are also outside without eye protection much more frequently and for longer periods than most adults.
Every child, even those without noticeable eye problems, should have a vision screening and/or eye examination before going to school for the first time.
This will ensure that the child has no vision problems that could hamper his development. Good vision is essential for proper physical development and educational progress in growing children.
Warning signs - Your young child might not be able to tell you if he or she has an eye problem, but parents are usually the first to recognise the signs of eye disorders in their children.
Be aware of the following signs or symptoms:
- One eye drifts or aims in a different direction than the other (look carefully – this can be subtle). This is significant even if it only occurs when the child is tired or stressed.
- Turns or tilts head to see
- Head is frequently tilted to one side or one shoulder is noticeably higher
- Squinting or closing of one eye
- Excessive blinking or squinting
- Poor visual/motor skills (often called, "hand-eye coordination")
- Problems moving in space, frequently bumps into things or drops things
While reading or doing close work your child may:
- Hold the book or object unusually close
- Close one eye or covers eye with hand
- Twist or tilt head toward book or object so as to favour one eye
- Frequently loses place and fatigues easily
- Uses finger to read
- Rubs eyes during or after short periods of reading
Your child frequently complains of:
- Only being able to read for short periods of time
- Headaches or eyestrain
- Nausea or dizziness
- Motion sickness
- Double vision
- Blurry vision
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