Myopia: 3 Signs Your Child Is Nearsighted

Often times, children need glasses at a young age but aren't diagnosed with vision problems until much later in life. As a parent, you may be able to slow your child's vision deterioration by recognizing the signs of eye problems from a young age. Here are a few telltale signs of myopia (nearsightedness) in children that you'll want to be aware of. If your child exhibits some or all of these signs, it's time to schedule an appointment with an optician.

Troubles in School

Is your child suddenly struggling in school, especially when he or she used to be a great student? If so, then he or she might be struggling with nearsightedness. This is especially probable if your child has recently been moved to a desk in the classroom that's located further away from the blackboard. Consider speaking with your child's teacher about the possibility of vision problems being the root of the poor academic performance; while glasses may be a necessity, it's possible that moving the child's desk towards the front of the room could be a temporary solution in the meantime.

Squinting or Rubbing Eyes

Another common sign that your child is suffering from myopia is that of noticing your child frequently rubbing his or her eyes, or squinting constantly. Often times, children at a young age will not realize that they are suffering from vision problems and will thus try to resolve issues by squinting or rubbing their eyes. Of course, this can also be the sign of eye allergies or other medical issues, but it's certainly something worth bringing up with your child's eye doctor in any regard.

Sitting Close to the TV

Finally, keep an eye on your child's positioning in the household. Is he or she suddenly sitting closer than usual to the television? If so, then he or she might be having a hard time seeing the television and may therefore be sitting closer as a result. If your child is old enough to speak, ask him or her is there is any trouble seeing the television. Either way, it may be worth your time to schedule an appointment with your child's optician to see if nearsightedness is a possibility. 

Dealing with nearsightedness can be a challenge, especially if your child is too small to understand. By being on the lookout for these signs, however, you can address the problem sooner rather than later. To find out more, speak with a company like Granville Mall Optical.