Diagnosing vision issues in children can be difficult since the signs are often subtle and unrecognizable. In other cases, they may hide the problem to avoid going to the hospital or getting glasses. Myopia or nearsightedness occurs when the shape of your eyeballs changes. It makes light concentrate on the anterior of your cornea, making distant objects seem blurry.

Signs and Symptoms

Children may be unable to tell you or explain their vision issues. For this reason, it is advisable to be vigilant about subtle signs and symptoms of nearsightedness. Some of the things to look out for include the following:

Complaints of Constant Headaches

One of the most common symptoms of vision issues in adults and children is consistent headaches. If your kid constantly complains about this, follow how often they occur. The symptom may have other causes, such as changes in barometric pressure or allergies. But if the frequency of the headaches is high, visit an eye doctor for an eye exam.

Holding Things Close to the Face

Among the most telling signs of myopia in children is if they often hold reading materials near their faces to see clearly. They may also sit abnormally close to the computer or television, indicating issues with distance vision.

 

Frequent Squinting

Squinting is a temporary attempt to correct your vision whenever you struggle to focus. It may result in a quick alteration of the rigidity in the muscles of your eyes, giving you a brief sense of clarity. Such a practice is common in children and adults suffering from mild nearsightedness.

Rubbing Eyes

If your toddler is not old enough to understand a headache, they may rub their eyes as a sign of distress. They may also do this due to digital eyestrain, so it is advisable to limit their screen time to help reduce the discomfort. If you notice this often in your child, schedule an appointment with a pediatric eye doctor.

Shutting a Single Eye When Reading

If a child must cover or close one eye when reading, they may have a problem with their eyesight. It is one of the common tactics that children and adults employ to resolve blurry vision. Closing one eye when they are reading helps overcome the discrepancy between the sight in both eyes, offering clarity.

Excess Tears

Due to the discomfort resulting from myopia, your child’s eyes may seem excessively watery. In most cases, parents may misdiagnose this symptom as an allergic reaction. But if the condition is excessive and persistent, it may indicate nearsightedness.

Unaware of Distant Things

If you realize that your kid is unaware of people or objects at a distance, it could be because they cannot see far away. Due to the condition, they may ignore things out of the scope of their vision.

While participating in a sporting event or playing outdoors, monitor your child’s response when referring to distant activities. Ask them about what is happening far away or reading a road sign at a relative distance.

For more information on the signs of myopia in children, call Nolo Eye Care + Eyewear Gallery at our office in Nolensville, Tennessee. Call (615) 283-7321 to book an appointment today.