We often get asked, ‘When should I get my kids eyes checked?’
The earlier, the better, as early detection and treatment of eye problems in children is crucial for their visual development.
If you have any concerns about your children’s eyes, no matter their age, an optometrist in Canberra can assess them. If you have no concerns, children should have their first eye exam at least by age 2. They do not need to know the alphabet, as eye exams are tailored to the child.
Here are some common childhood eye conditions that we often see and treat.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) Occurs when vision in one eye doesn’t develop appropriately during early childhood. If left untreated, this can lead to lifelong poor vision in the affected eye.
Signs to watch for:
- Eyes that appear to wander inward or outward
- Poor depth perception
- Squinting or shutting one eye
- Head tilting
Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): This condition involves a misalignment of the eyes, which don’t look in the same direction. This can be constant (the eye turned all the time) or intermittent (present only occasionally when particularly tired, for example).
Signs to watch for:
- Eyes don’t align in the same direction
- Double vision
- Poor depth perception
Refractive Errors include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
Signs to watch for:
- Squinting
- Sitting too close to the TV, holding books very close or having difficulty seeing the board at school
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Complaints of headaches
Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and inner eyelid.
Signs to watch for:
- Redness in the white of the eye
- Watery eyes or constant mucous-like discharge
- Itching or burning sensation
Colour Blindness is common, particularly in males. It is the decreased ability to see colours or differences in colours.
Signs to watch for:
- Difficulty distinguishing between specific colours, mainly red and greens or blues and yellows
- Trouble seeing different shades of the same colour
The Bottom Line
Many childhood eye conditions don’t have obvious symptoms, especially in the early stages, so it is vital to have your children’s eyes checked even if you have no concerns. Regular eye exams with your optometrist in Canberra are crucial for early detection and success rate of any prescribed treatment.