More than a third (39%) of parents admitted to a new survey that they overlooked certain behavioral signs that indicated their child had vision problems.
In addition, around 40% have never considered that their child might need glasses, and more than one in five (21%) admitted to never taking their child to the optician.
The study suggests that this may be because parents prioritize other medical appointments they need to attend, such as doctor’s appointments, dentist appointments, or vaccinations.
Of the 32% of parents who said their child currently wears glasses (although nearly four in 10 did not notice the symptoms), 97% wished they had noticed the telltale signs sooner.
Signs that your child may need glasses
According to the Specsavers study, parents of children aged between six and 15 most frequently report behaviours that indicate possible vision problems:
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their child sits too close to the TV (48%)
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frequent complaints about headaches (42%)
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always sit at the front of the class (37%)
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Delaying bedtime to avoid having to read (28%)
With this in mind, Specsavers expert Giles Edmonds explains the key signs of potential vision problems to look out for in children.
1. “The Master of Eye Rubbing”
“Eye rubbing is a sign of tired eyes at any age. If you notice your child rubbing his or her eyes while focusing on an object, this could indicate eyestrain, which could be due to an uncorrected vision problem.”
2. “The Reading Rebel”
“If your child is reading below the expected level, it may be a sign of several vision problems. Children with vision problems may repeat the same line twice, lose their place, or use a finger to guide their eyes. Keeping books or devices at a distance can support long-term eye health – keeping these items at a knuckle-to-elbow length is a good guide, as holding them too close can be problematic.”
3. “The star of eye strain”
“Sometimes there are physical signs like eyestrain, closing one eye or holding objects too close or too far away. When children strain to see the board at school, they may also become frustrated, which may mean they disrupt class. All of these things can indicate vision problems.”
4. “The Headache Hero”
“Your child may experience more headaches, especially when reading. When you look at objects or screens up close, the muscles in and around your eyes have to work harder to focus. Over time, these muscles can become sore and tired. Likewise, squinting for long periods of time can fatigue the muscles around your eyes, which can lead to headaches.”
5. “The Head Tilter”
“If your child has perfected the art of tilting his head while reading a book, it’s a sign that he may be hiding problems with his vision.”
6. “Enthusiast of encountering the uncanny danger”
“If your child makes a habit of sitting too close to the TV, it could be a sign that they are having difficulty seeing details. Sitting too close to the screen could, in turn, lead to additional eye strain.”
7. “The Pirate Poser”
“If your little one often closes one eye while completing tasks, he may be doing so to protect his stronger eye and could indicate an uncorrected vision problem.”
8. “The Teacher’s Favorite”
“If your child sits at the front of the class so he or she can get a good view of the blackboard, it may be a sign that he or she has vision problems.”
Vision tests for children
The study also found that parents take their children to the optician for the first time at the age of six, on average. More than half (56%) go for routine check-ups and almost a quarter (22%) go if there is a family history of vision problems. Almost one in five parents (19%) admit to only going to the optician if their child’s teacher has advised them to do so.
Specsavers recommends that children have their first eye test at the age of three and a half. “Poor eyesight can lead to learning and behavioural problems. Conditions such as strabismus and amblyopia (lazy eyesight) can be treated more effectively if they are detected earlier, which could make a big difference for your child. After all, an eye test doesn’t just check eyesight. It can also detect other underlying health conditions,” says Edmonds.
While serious vision problems are rare in childhood, the NHS says routine eye exams are offered for newborns and young children to detect problems early. Free vision tests through the health service are also available at opticians for children under 16 and for young people under 19 in full-time training.
For more information on possible examinations and the causes of eye problems in babies and children, visit the NHS websiteIf you have any concerns about your child’s vision, see a general practitioner or optician.
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