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Newborns frequently have their eyes tested while still in the hospital nursery, but this is just the first of many important vision screenings your child should have done. Most pediatricians will conduct basic routine exams in office, and then refer children to an optometrist or opthamologist if they suspect a problem. 
It is important to stay vigilant as parents, as some eye issues are very obvious, but others have very subtle indicators or none at all.
In This Post:
Squinting or Straining to See
If you notice your child squinting their eyes frequently, closing one eye, or tilting their head to put things into focus, these could be indicators of poor vision. If your child is having difficulty seeing, you may also find that they have to look at things such as books, television, and toys, very closely in order to be able to see them properly.
Headaches
Frequent headaches or sensitivity to light are not typical problems for children. If your child complains of frequent headaches, one of the first things you should have checked is their vision. Headaches can be a result from the eyes straining to see.
Depth Perception Issues
Problems with depth perception can point to problems with uneven development of the eyes, such as occurs with amblyopia (lazy eye). According to a Utah eye surgeon, this disease is contracted before birth when the brain is forming or during childhood when children start favoring one eye. This issue is typically able to be corrected if caught at a young age, however noticing depth perception issues with young children can be very difficult. As a result, these issues often go unnoticed until children are school aged. At this point, you have often missed the optimum treatment window. Be on the lookout for significant clumsiness or fear of using stairs or going down slides. These can all be subtle indicators of an underlying vision problem.
Frequent Infections
Frequent eye infections can be a sign that your child has blocked tear ducts. This is a relatively easily corrected issue once it is diagnosed. Blocked tear ducts does not mean there will be no tears, but rather that the duct system is not developed correctly or has been somehow blocked. The duct system that keeps eyes lubricated and healthy is essential to maintaining proper eye comfort and health. Often blocked ducts correct on their own or with minor relatively non-invasive procedures. Periodically, surgery is necessary to fix the issue.
Lack of Focus
This is most commonly noticed in children once they enter school. You or the teacher may notice frequent daydreaming, inability to focus, or poor academic performance. All of these issues can be linked to poor vision in some cases. Most school nurses can do a pre-screening in the school’s infirmary and let you know if they detect any issue.
Eye Rubbing
Few things are sweeter to parents than seeing their little baby gently rub their eyes as they get ready to drift off to sleep. A simple eye rub when children get sleepy is innocent enough, but frequent and persistent eye rubbing can be a sign of something more sinister. Dry eyes, poor vision, or eye strain can all cause eye fatigue, and thus eye rubbing.
If you suspect that your child may be suffering from an eye development or vision issue, see a professional as soon as possible. Many issues are much more responsive to treatment if caught and addressed when children are very young. Treatments may include things such as glasses, contacts, corrective Lasik surgery, eye patching, and drops depending on factors including the age of the child and the issue being treated. Even if you suspect that standing too close to the TV, tilting their head, or that slight crossed eye is something they will simply outgrow, it is best to have it looked at. When dealing with little eyes, it is always better to err on the side of caution and get things checked out if you notice anything at all concerning.
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