Children's Eye Care

            Children’s Eye Observation Checklist for Parents          

 

Below are general signs of eye problems in children. If you notice one or more of these signs, or if your child does or says any of the things listed here, take your child to an eye doctor for assessment.

Appearance of Eyes:

• One eye turns in or out at any time

• Reddened eyes or lids

• Frequent styes on lids

• Eyes tear excessively

What Does Your Child Say?

• Headaches

• Burning or itching of eyes

• Nausea or dizziness

• Print blurs or moves while reading

• Double vision

• Difficulty seeing clearly after reading

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Behavioural Signs of Vision Problems:

• Short attention span for reading or writing tasks

• Closes or covers one eye when reading or doing close up tasks

• Squints to see chalkboard, or requests to move nearer

• Frequent eye rubbing

• Abnormal head tilt

• Excessive blinking

• Keeps face close to the book when reading

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Reading

• Often loses place when reading

• Re-reads or skips lines unknowingly

• Omits words frequently

• Reverse numbers, letters or words

• Needs fingers or marker to keep place on page

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Writing

• Writes uphill or downhill on paper

• Orients drawings or writing poorly on page

• Makes errors in copying

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Remember, your child may still have an eye problem even if he or she does not complain or has not shown any of the above unusual signs.

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