Did you know that 1 in 4 school-aged children has a vision problem that could interfere with learning? However, many of these issues go unnoticed because kids don’t always realise their vision is impaired, they assume everyone sees the world the way they do.
As a parent, you play a key role in spotting early warning signs. Children often adapt to blurry vision without complaining, because it’s all they’ve ever known. That’s why knowing what to look for matters.
Below are common signs that may indicate your child needs an eye exam.
1. Squinting
Squinting is one of the most noticeable signs of a vision issue. When a child squints, they’re trying to temporarily sharpen their vision by narrowing the light entering their eyes.
What it could mean:
Nearsightedness (myopia): Trouble seeing distant objects.
Astigmatism: Blurred vision at any distance.
If you notice your child frequently squinting while watching TV, looking at the board in school, or reading signs from a distance, it’s time to book an eye exam.
2. Covering one eye or tilting the head
If your child covers one eye when reading, watching a screen, or doing homework – or if they habitually tilt their head, it may be their way of compensating for vision imbalance between the two eyes.
What it could mean:
- Strabismus (eye misalignment): One eye may be turning in or out.
- Amblyopia (lazy eye): One eye is significantly weaker than the other.
- Refractive error in one eye: The eyes are not equally strong.
These behaviours should never be ignored, as untreated eye alignment issues can become permanent if not addressed early.
3. Frequent headaches or eye strain
Vision problems can cause your child to overexert their eye muscles, leading to headaches, especially after reading or using a screen.
Watch for these patterns:
- Complaints of headaches after school or homework.
- Rubbing the eyes while reading.
- Complaints of tired or “sore” eyes.
Persistent headaches with no clear cause often trace back to uncorrected vision issues. An optometrist can determine if glasses or vision therapy is needed.
4. Trouble reading or losing place
If your child avoids reading, uses a finger to follow the text, frequently skips words or lines, or complains that the words are “moving” on the page, it could be more than a reluctance to read, it might be a sign of an underlying vision issue.
Possible causes include:
- Convergence insufficiency: The eyes struggle to work together at close distances, making reading physically uncomfortable.
- Tracking issues: The eyes have difficulty moving smoothly and accurately across lines of text, leading to skipped or repeated lines.
- Focusing problems: The eyes can’t maintain clear vision on near tasks, especially for extended periods.
Children with these problems may appear distracted, frustrated, or slow when reading, and are sometimes misdiagnosed with ADHD or learning disabilities. An eye exam can uncover these issues and help guide the right treatment, whether that’s children’s prescription glasses, vision therapy, or another solution.
5. Sitting too close to screens or holding books close
Children with undiagnosed near-sightedness often move closer to things to make them clearer. Whether it’s sitting just feet from the TV or holding a tablet inches from their face, this habit is a red flag. Excessive screen time already puts strain on young eyes. When combined with poor vision, it can lead to faster progression of myopia. Early detection and corrective lenses can help reduce long-term impact.
6. Poor school performance
Vision and learning are tightly linked. Up to 80% of what children learn is visual. If your child is struggling in school (especially in reading, maths, or writing) it’s worth considering whether vision is part of the issue.
Signs tied to vision issues:
- Difficulty copying from the board.
- Poor handwriting.
- Avoidance of homework.
- Trouble staying focused.
Teachers might misinterpret these signs as behavioural or attention problems, but vision should always be ruled out first.
7. Clumsiness or poor hand-eye coordination
Children who frequently bump into things, drop objects, or struggle with sports may not just be awkward, they may have problems with depth perception or eye teaming.
Watch for:
- Trouble catching or hitting a ball.
- Hesitation on stairs.
- Difficulty riding a bike.
If your child avoids physical activity or seems especially uncoordinated, don’t overlook their vision.
How often should you book an eye test for your child?
Even if your child shows no symptoms, regular eye exams are crucial. We recommend:
- First eye exam as early as possible if there are any concerns ( family history , squints, abnormal or unequal pupils etc )
- By age 3 if there are no obvious concerns or Family History
- Every year thereafter
Book a children’s eye test at Gormley Opticians in Ballybofey or Strabane
Your child may not be able to articulate when something is wrong with their vision. Many assume what they see is “normal.” That’s why you, as a parent, need to be their advocate and observer.
If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, or if it’s simply been a while since their last check-up, book an eye exam at Gormley Opticians. You’ll either gain peace of mind or catch a problem early, which can make all the difference.
