Children’s eye care in the screen age
Sonya Broadhead, Director of See Side Optical to take the guesswork out of children’s eye care.
In the screen age, regular eye checks are important for everyone, including young children.
Sonya Broadhead, director at See Side Optical, shares all the important things you need to know about kids’ eyes, including the warning signs you should never ignore.
When should a child first see an optometrist for an eye examination?
The StEPS program is a fantastic initiative from NSW Health that sees local health professionals target preschools and child care centres to offer all four-year-olds a free vision screening. The recommendation is that all children must have their vision screened before they start school.
If your child has missed the program offering, or you have concerns about your child’s vision, I advise that you contact your local optometrist.
What are the warning signs for vision issues in children – for those who can and can't talk?
While it’s rare for babies to have vision problems, parents should look for the signs listed below for those under four who can’t communicate well. I recommend that you visit your baby’s pediatrician or optometrist for medical attention if you notice any of the following:
- Excessive eye turning – this might be due to eye muscle control issues
- Encrusted eyelids – this could be due to an eye infection
- Constantly watery eyes – this may mean blocked tear ducts
- Extreme sensitivity to light.
It’s important to truly listen to your child. Speaking to my personal experience, I mistook my son’s headaches for dehydration. We had two-yearly eye tests and didn’t catch it. He had eye muscle-tracking issues during reading, or what we call convergence insufficiency, which was causing the headaches. There are certain optometrists that are trained in Behavioural Optometry – sort of like a physiotherapist but for your eyes. No glasses were required.
Symptoms to look for in children above four include:
- Blurred or double vision
- Sore or tired eyes
- Headaches
- Eye rubbing
- Squinting
- Sitting too close to things (such as TV)
- Holding a book very close
- Difficulty reading
- Night vision problems
- One or both eyes look different or abnormal
- Tilting their head
- Quick loss of interest in activities that require eye use
- Losing their place when reading
What are the most common optical issues for children? If possible, how can we avoid these issues?
The main thing to remember with all eye conditions is that early detection and treatment are key. Below are the top 3 most common vision problems in children:
- Myopia (short-sightedness)
- Hyperopia (Long-sightedness)
- Amblyopia (Lazy eye)
Unfortunately, some conditions can’t be avoided and are due to genetic abnormalities. However, others such as Myopia can be controlled or slowed if caught early enough.
In an attempt to lower the risk of developing eye diseases, parents should teach their children to practice healthy lifestyles – for example, Type 2 diabetes can lead to vision loss and even blindness.
Limiting your child’s digital device usage will not only protect your child’s vision in the short-term, but in the long run as well. Hours in front of the screen can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, including eye fatigue, eyestrain, blurry vision, dry eye and headaches. Furthermore, excessive exposure to blue light that emanates from digital screens can interfere with sleep patterns, concentration levels and behaviours.
What are your tips for encouraging your child to wear glasses, once prescribed?
Once they put on their glasses, most children can immediately see the improvement in their vision so they are more inclined to keep them on. We also encourage letting children select their frames. If they like the glasses, they’ll wear them.
See Side Optical is at Shop 10/1A King St, Thirroul, phone (02) 4268 3933
