Preschool age is a critical time for any child to develop and learn. According to the American Public Health Association, 10% of young children have eye problems. The hard part is, getting early treatment as children this age will usually not express a vision problem verbally. Many times, vision problems are undetected or misdiagnosed at typical pediatrician or school screenings; therefore, it’s important for parents to watch for any signs of vision problems, which can include:
- Sitting close to the TV to see
- Holding a book to close to eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Poor eye-hand-body coordination
- Avoiding hands on activities like coloring or puzzles
- Squinting eyes or tilting head when looking at objects
- Frequently eye-rubbing
- Shorter than normal attention span
- Turning of an eye (in or out)
- Headache complaints
If any these signs are present and there is a concern, then contacting an eye care provider for a comprehensive vision exam is recommended. To find a vision provider near you, click here
