Left undetected, vision problems can negatively impact your child’s performance and development at school. Some children can be mislabelled as slow learners, shy or troublemakers when they actually have an undetected vision issue which can be identified and managed with the guidance of an optometrist.
When was your child's last eye test?
Recent data from Optometry Australia’s 2022 Vision Index has uncovered a troubling trend among Australian parents: when it comes to their kids, many are unsure of when, and how frequently, they should be visiting an optometrist.
The data revealed that nearly half of the parents (47%) who haven’t had their child’s eyes examined by an optometrist had never considered booking it in. And over a third of parents (34%) believe that eye tests aren’t necessary until their child is older.
Optometry Australia’s Chief Clinical Officer Luke Arundel says that these misconceptions can spell danger for developing eyes.
“As the Vision Index suggests, many parents are making the mistake of thinking that their child is too young for an eye test, or that they simply don’t need one at this stage of their life,” said Arundel.
“However, a lot of the time children are unaware or unable to communicate signs of abnormal vision.
“While some vision problems are obvious, others can be hard to identify. Children at a young age usually can’t tell if there is anything wrong with their eyesight because they grow up naturally adapting to the world around them.
“But even a small change in vision can affect the way a child performs in school. For an example, this blur simulator helps illustrate what the whiteboard would look like at school with various levels of myopia (short-sightedness). Having an undiagnosed and untreated vision problem can affect a child’s confidence, success, academic performance and sporting and social development.
“The onus is on parents to take the lead and make sure their child’s eyes are looked after. Optometrists can detect and diagnose a variety of eye conditions as well as assess overall eye health – booking in to see an optometrist should be on every parent’s back to school list.”
Signs to look out for
As a parent, what signs should you be on the lookout for that may indicate your child has a vision problem? Arundel says some can include:
- Noticeable tilting or turning of the head when your child is looking at something
- Frequent blinking or rubbing of the eyes
- Red or watery eyes
- Difficulty reading, such as skipping and confusing words, and holding a book very close while reading
- Sitting too close to the TV
- Complaints of headaches, blurred or double vision or eye fatigue
- Squinting or having difficulty recognising objects in the distance
- One eye turning in or out while the other points straight ahead
If your child is exhibiting any of these behaviours, it’s important to talk to an optometrist who is best equipped to manage and treat these issues.
Arundel also reminds parents that it’s crucial for every child to have a comprehensive eye examination before starting school, even if you may think nothing is wrong, and then routine visits every two to three years as they progress through primary and secondary school.
To schedule an appointment with your local optometrist, use our easy search tool here.
