Your child’s academic performance may be impacted by poor eyesight. Discover indicators that your child may benefit from an eye examination by reading our informative piece before they go back to school. 

How do vision issues affect your child’s performance in school? 

Did you know 1 in 5 children has an undiagnosed vision problem that could be affecting their learning?

It’s important for parents to be aware that a significant number of children are struggling with undiagnosed vision problems, which can have a detrimental impact on their ability to learn. Research shows that as many as one in five children could be affected, with the majority of learning occurring visually for those under 12 years old.

This means that regular eye exams for children are essential, especially as many kids who are struggling in school may simply be dealing with poor eyesight rather than other issues like dyslexia or behavioural problems. There are several signs that parents can look out for to determine if their child might be experiencing vision problems. From infants to school-age children, these symptoms can include squinting, rubbing their eyes, tilting their heads, or having difficulty focusing or tracking objects. If you haven’t taken your child for an eye exam in the past two years, it’s highly recommended that you do so before the new school year starts.   

Tell-tale signs of vision problems in pre-schoolers 

If your pre-schooler has any of the following symptoms you should get their eyes checked out by a professional. 

  • Rubs eyes often 
  • Have encrusted eyelids 
  • Avoids activities like colouring, puzzles or any activity that requires concentration 
  • Has difficulty with hand-eye-body co-ordination 
  • Frequently bumps into things 
  • Has bloodshot eyes or eyelids 
  • Eyes produce tears excessively 

Tell-tale signs of vision problems in school-age children 

If your child is already in school and is experiencing any of the following symptoms it might be time for an eye exam. Same as for pre-schoolers, it is recommended to have your child’s eyes looked at by a professional if they haven’t been to see one in the past two years. 

  • Has headaches regularly 
  • Does not have neat handwriting 
  • Holds reading material close to their face 
  • Has trouble keeping track of their place while reading text 
  • Has sore, irritated, or red eyes