The quality of your vision can have an effect on all aspects of life, from school and sports to watching movies and dining out. Vision loss can be difficult for children to communicate, and some may not even notice the change if it happens gradually. Below are common signs that your little one might need to start wearing glasses. 

How to Tell When Kids Should Use Glasses

1. Sitting up Close

While parents used to believe kids were simply wrapped up in their favorite shows, we now know that sitting too close to the television is a sign of nearsightedness. Your child may also hold a tablet or book too close to their face, or ask to sit closer to the screen when you go to a movie theater.

2. Squinting

When your child tries to see or read something far away, do they squint to get a better view? Squinting temporarily improves blurred vision due to the pinhole effect, in which the amount of light entering the eye is limited, and the retina can focus on a smaller image. This may be your child’s way of compensating for their inability to see clearly.

3. Frequent Headaches

When people squint to see better, they tend to squeeze their eyes, wrinkle their face, and tense their brows. Putting in the extra effort to bring objects into focus can place unnecessary strain on the involved muscles and cause headaches. In rare instances, children may even develop nausea.

4. Covering One Eye

Sometimes only one eye is nearsighted, which can interfere with vision as a whole. A child might cover or shut the affected eye when reading or watching something to see better. If this issue is not corrected with prescription glasses, it can increase their risk of developing amblyopia, or lazy eye. 

5. Complaints of Blurry Vision

Once your child reaches a certain age, they might be able to describe what they're experiencing. They may see halos around lights, especially at night, or note that the images on the TV or movie screen are too blurry. After school, they might start complaining that the board is getting hard to read. Pay close attention to the way your child describes their daily experiences.

If you suspect your child is nearsighted, schedule an eye exam with Eagle Eye Care. Serving Denham Springs, LA and surrounding areas, this vision center offers comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages to enhance your sight and treat common eye diseases. They carry glasses frames in a wide variety of styles to suit your family's preferences, including top-quality brands like Ray-Ban®, Versace®, ClearVision®, and Oakley®. Contact the team at (225) 243-1950 to schedule an appointment. To learn about pediatric vision care, visit their website.