As parents, observing your child’s health and development is a top priority. Vision is a crucial part of how children learn and interact with the world. It can sometimes be challenging to know when to seek a professional eye examination for your child. Here in the Savanna and Calgary areas, our specialists are keen to help parents recognize the signs that might indicate a need for a pediatric eye exam.
**When Should Your Child Visit a Pediatric Eye Specialist?**
Children often won’t verbalize if they have vision problems because they might assume their vision is normal or they might struggle to describe their difficulties. Here are some signs that may suggest your child should have their eyes checked:
- Squinting or tilting the head: If you notice your child squinting frequently or tilting their head to see better, it could indicate issues with their vision.
- Sitting too close to the TV or holding devices too close: This common sign might suggest your child has difficulty seeing from standard distances.
- Rubbing eyes excessively: While children might rub their eyes due to tiredness or allergies, frequent rubbing can also be a sign of eye strain or fatigue.
- Difficulty in school: If a teacher reports that your child is having trouble reading the board or focusing during visual tasks, this could be a sign of vision issues.
- Complaints of headaches: Regular headaches, especially those linked to reading or other visual tasks, can often be related to straining to see properly.
- Eye alignment issues: Any noticeable issue with the eyes not aligning correctly could be a sign of strabismus or other eye health concerns.
**Early Detection Matters**
Early detection and treatment of eye conditions not only contribute to your child’s visual health but also to their overall development and learning. Regular eye exams ensure that children are seeing clearly and comfortably. Moreover, untreated vision problems can sometimes lead to more severe educational or social difficulties.
Even if none of the above signs are present, it’s a good practice to have your child’s eyes examined during major developmental milestones. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that children have their first eye exam between 6 and 9 months of age, another exam at age 3, and then annually from school age onwards.
**Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today**
If you’ve noticed any of the signs mentioned above, or if it’s simply time for your child’s routine eye checkup, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team of friendly, professional eye care specialists in Savanna and the surrounding Calgary area are here to assist you and answer any questions you may have.