A practical guide to children’s eye health, the signs of a possible vision problem, and why an eye examination can be a valuable part of the back-to-school routine.

As the new school year approaches, parents are busy preparing uniforms, school bags and stationery. But one important item can sometimes be overlooked: making sure your child’s vision is working as well as it should.

Good vision plays an important role in learning. Children rely on their eyesight to read books, see the whiteboard, use computers and tablets, write, and take part in sports and other activities. If a child is struggling to see clearly, they may find it harder to concentrate or keep up in the classroom.

Healthy visual habits for school and screen time

As children spend more time reading and using digital devices, it is also important to encourage healthy visual habits. Regular breaks from screens, good lighting and spending time outdoors can help make screen and study time more comfortable, as well as reduce factors that can encourage short-sightedness.

Signs of a possible vision problem in children

Children do not always realise that they have a problem with their vision – particularly if the issue mainly affects one eye. It is therefore worth looking out for changes in their behaviour. Signs that may be a reason to arrange a children’s eye test include:
• Sitting very close to the television or holding books close to the face
• Squinting or frequently rubbing their eyes
• Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
• Losing their place when reading
• Avoiding reading or other close-up activities
• Tilting or turning their head to see more clearly
• Having difficulty seeing the whiteboard at school
These signs do not necessarily mean that your child has a vision problem, but they are good reasons to arrange an eye examination with an optician.

Make an eye test part of your back-to-school routine

A comprehensive eye examination is a simple way to check your child’s vision and eye health. An optometrist can identify problems such as myopia (short-sightedness), hypermetropia (long-sightedness), astigmatism (an irregular curvature of the eye) or misalignment of the two eyes, as well as checking the overall health of the eyes. Children may also benefit from regular eye tests even if they appear to see well, because young eyes can change as children grow and some vision problems are not obvious to parents or children.

Ready for the new school year?

Adding an eye test to your back-to-school checklist can help give your child the best possible start to the year. Clear, comfortable vision can make everyday classroom activities easier and help children feel confident as they learn, play and explore.

If your child is due an eye examination, contact our friendly team at Nic Sproson Opticians to arrange an appointment before the new school year gets fully underway.

Key takeaway: Good vision supports everyday learning. Look out for changes in your child’s visual behaviour, arrange an eye examination if you have concerns or they are due a check, and encourage comfortable screen and study habits.

Further information
For more information about children’s eye health, visit the College of Optometrists’ Look After Your Eyes website.

Jamie Wooldridge
Optometrist