Signs your child should see an eye doctor

One in four school-age children has a vision issue, according to the American Optometric Association. Since eye disorders aren’t always easy to spot, many go undiagnosed.

Kids are highly adaptable, so they often don't realize that there's a problem with their vision. And if there aren't visible signs, their eye condition may not be obvious to others either.

“Poor eyesight can make learning difficult and impact kids’ physical and behavioral development,” says Jessica Thayer, M.D., Ophthalmologist at Children’s Health℠. “Whether we’re talking about a minor issue that can be corrected with glasses or a more serious condition that requires surgery, early intervention can be life-changing.”

Signs of common eye conditions in kids

When a pediatrician checks your child’s eyes at well-child visits, they are looking for symptoms like:

• Misalignment, when a child’s eyes appear to drift, wander or cross.

• Pupil abnormality, when pupils have white or yellow material, or do not react to light.

• Drooping lid, when one eyelid is noticeably lower than the other or blocks vision.

• Vision asymmetry, when one eye sees better than the other.

Other signs of eye problems may be less obvious, including:

1. Squinting or pulling objects closer, if your child is having trouble focusing their eyes or seeing.

2. Head tilting because one eye may be stronger than the other.

3. Excessive eye rubbing or blinking can mean your child’s vision is blurry and they’re trying to clear their eyes.

4. Sensitivity to light can signal a potential issue with the pupils or eye disease.

5. Persistent eye watering, redness, discharge or pain can be tied to irritated eyes or another underlying problem.

If your child has any of these symptoms, talk to your pediatrician. If they don’t offer comprehensive eye exams, you can make an appointment directly with an optometrist.

When should kids get eye exams?

Just as kids should see a dentist regularly to care for their teeth, they should also have regular check-ups for their eyes. All children should have an eye screening before age 5, even if they aren’t having noticeable eye issues.

Basic eye exams and vision tests are part of well-child visits for kids who are old enough to read a vision chart. All school-age children should have an annual eye exam.

Many pediatrician offices now offer photoscreening technology that can identify eye disorders and disease in infants and young children.

“Everyone should have yearly eye exams as part of their preventative health care,” says Yuming Li, O.D., Optometrist with Children’s Health. “You can have great vision but still have an undiagnosed eye condition that could cause serious problems later.”

Optometry vs. ophthalmology: Who should you see?

The two main types of eye doctors are optometrists and ophthalmologists. They often work together in the same clinic, but their patients’ needs are different.

Optometrists are primary eye care providers. They are trained to diagnose and take care of many non-surgical eye conditions. They handle most routine screenings and can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. Patients will usually see an optometrist first if a non-serious problem is suspected.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who treat patients with more complex eye disorders or serious eye injuries. They can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses and are trained to perform surgery.

Treating eye conditions in children

Some of the more common eye conditions in infants and young children include:

• Amblyopia (lazy eye). The brain favors one eye, causing the other eye to become weaker. Special eye drops or patching may improve the problem and help avoid vision loss.

• Strabismus (wandering or crossed eyes). Eyes move separately, often crossing, drifting or wandering. Glasses may help or surgery might be necessary to adjust the eye muscles. Without medical care, it can cause amblyopia.

• Refractive errors: Irregularities in eye shape affect how the eye focuses light and can cause blurred vision. Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism are the most common types and can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

• Marginal keratitis. Inflammation of the peripheral cornea, causing small white ulcers that can be treated with eye drops.

Comprehensive eye exams also help eye doctors look for less common childhood eye disease such as:

• Pediatric cataracts. Cloudy-appearing spots in the lens that can appear at birth and should be removed surgically to avoid lasting vision problems.

• Pediatric glaucoma. Fluid causes pressure in the eye to build up, which damages the optic nerve and can cause blindness if not treated. Symptoms can appear at birth or soon after.

• Uveitis. Inflammation in the eyeball can cause pain and persistent redness. Medication or drops can help, but if left untreated, scarring can lead to vision loss.

Protecting your child’s vision

In addition to routine eye exams, you can take care of your child’s vision by helping them:

• Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated and eating a well-balanced, vitamin-rich diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables aids in vision development.

• Limit screen time.Spending too much time focusing on near objects like devices causes eyestrain.

• Be active outside. Playing outdoors encourages kids to look at things that are farther away than up-close items like devices and books.

• Get good sleep. Getting enough sleep is important for growth and development.

• Use protective eyewear. Sunglasses, goggles and other protective eyewear can reduce the risk of eye injury during sports and outdoor activities

Learn More

Children’s Health Ophthalmology offers world-class routine eye care and specialized treatment for numerous eye disorders and diseases, along with leading-edge research and education. Learn more about our pediatric ophthalmology services or request an appointment.

If your child has an eye concern and you’re unsure if they need to be seen by an eye doctor – or you're short on time – Children's Health Virtual Visit provides several convenient options for parents and caregivers.