The first school years lays an important foundation for a child’s future learning and academic development. Vision problems can sometimes affect how quickly a child learns to read, for example. As a child’s vision continues to develop until around the age of 8 to 10, it is important to keep monitoring their eye health and visual development beyond the first school year.
Why is good vision important for children?
A large proportion of the information children receive at school is processed through vision. That is why vision problems can sometimes show up as learning difficulties, tiredness or problems with concentration, even when the underlying cause is an undiagnosed issue with eyesight.
Good vision supports a child’s ability to learn, read, write, move confidently and understand their surroundings. It also plays an important role in hand-eye coordination, social interaction and self-confidence.
How does children’s vision develop?
A newborn’s vision is still developing, but visual development progresses rapidly after birth. First, babies can only see clearly at close range and are mainly able to recognize familiar faces and contrasts.
During the first year of life, vision becomes sharper, the eyes learn to work together, and the child begins to understand their surroundings in greater detail. Throughout the preschool years, visual acuity, depth perception and binocular vision continue to improve. By school age, vision should support reading, writing, learning and physical activity without difficulty.
Vision development depends on the eyes and brain working together. If a child has a significant refractive error, such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism, or if they have a squint, normal visual development may be disrupted. Fortunately, early intervention can help guide visual development in the right direction, which is why any concerns should be investigated promptly.
Signs of vision problems in children
Children may not realize that their vision differs from normal because they assume everyone sees the way they do. As a result, parents, teachers and other adults often play a key role in identifying potential vision problems.
Consider booking a children’s eye test if your child experiences:
- Frequent squinting
- Headaches
- Tired or strained eyes and eyes rubbing
- Tilting their head while looking at objects
- Sitting unusually close to the television, books or digital devices
- Difficulty seeing distant objects
- Concentration difficulties while reading
- Skipping lines or following lines with finger when reading
- Covering or closing one eye
- A visible squint (strabismus)
- Clumsiness or difficulty judging distances
If symptoms are persistent or cause concern, it is advisable to have your child’s vision assessed.
Common vision problems in children
Short-Sightedness (Myopia)
Children with myopia can usually see nearby objects clearly, while distant objects appear blurred.
Myopia has become significantly more common worldwide. Factors that increase the risk include parental short-sightedness, limited time spent outdoors and extensive use of digital devices.
In some cases, specially designed myopia management lenses may help slow the progression of myopia in children.
Long-Sightedness (Hyperopia)
Mild long-sightedness is common in young children. However, more significant long-sightedness may cause eye strain, headaches and difficulty with reading or close-up work.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism can affect vision at both near and far distances. Common symptoms include blurred vision, squinting, eye strain and visual fatigue.
Squint (Strabismus)
A squint occurs when the eyes do not align and focus on the same point at the same time. A child may have a visible squint, which can be seen externally or a hidden squint, which may not be noticeable without examination.
Occasional squinting is common in babies younger than four months because binocular vision is still developing. Persistent or recurring squinting should always be assessed, as untreated strabismus can affect normal visual development.
Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
Amblyopia, often called a lazy eye, occurs when vision in one eye does not develop normally. The stronger eye gradually becomes dominant while the weaker eye falls behind in development. Amblyopia may be caused by a squint, significant refractive error or a large difference in prescription between the eyes.
Treatment may include glasses to correct refractive errors, eye patching therapy or eye drops that temporarily blur the stronger eye. Treatment is most effective during early childhood because vision continues to develop until approximately 8 to 10 years of age. In most cases, amblyopia diagnosed early can be successfully treated with appropriate follow-up and care.
When should a child have an eye test?
If you suspect your child may be experiencing vision difficulties, or if you would like reassurance that their vision is developing normally, a professional eye examination can provide valuable peace of mind. Many parents also book an eye test when their child starts school or moves to higher year groups, as visual demands increase.
A children’s eye examination is recommended if:
- The child shows symptoms related to vision
- The child has a squint
- There is a family history of severe short-sightedness or eye disease
- Additional examinations are recommended by school healthcare services or a child health clinic
- Parents are concerned about their child’s vision
Children under the age of 8 should first have their eyes examined by an ophthalmologist. Our optometrists examine and assess the vision of children aged 8 and older and, if necessary, refer them to an ophthalmologist.
