Is your child squinting at the board in school, sitting too close to the TV, or holding books right up to their face? Kids often don’t realize their vision is blurry, so they adjust without saying anything.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if a child has a vision problem. However, if you notice these behaviors, it may be time to consider myopia management. In this blog, we’ll cover signs of nearsightedness, how blurry vision can affect learning, and ways our trusted optometrists in Orange can help protect your child’s eyesight.
Signs your child may have blurry vision
Children often don’t mention vision problems, so parents need to watch for clues, such as:
- Squinting to see the board at school or distant signs
- Sitting very close to the TV or tablet
- Complaining of headaches after reading or doing homework
- Holding books close to their face
- Losing focus during classwork that requires distance vision
- Saying their eyes feel tired at the end of the day
If you notice one or more of these signs, your child may have nearsightedness or another vision issue that needs attention.
How blurry vision affects learning
Clear vision is critical for learning because about 80% of classroom learning is visual.¹ If your child can’t see the board clearly, they might miss important instructions, write down the wrong notes, or start losing interest in school altogether. Even highly motivated students can find school frustrating if their eyes have to work harder than they should.
That’s why it’s important to schedule regular comprehensive eye exams for your child. During your visit, our optometrists check for the cause of blurry vision, make sure your child has the right prescription, and recommend solutions that support their learning. If nearsightedness is progressing, we can also create a personalized myopia management plan to help slow its progression and protect their long-term vision.
Taking control of myopia early on
Myopia often starts in childhood, and the earlier a child becomes nearsighted, the greater the chance of their prescription continuing to worsen over time.² Myopia can progress into adulthood,³ increasing the risk of future eye diseases.
A pediatric eye exam gives us the chance to check how your child’s vision is changing and act early. After evaluating their eyes, our optometrists can recommend ways to slow the progression of myopia and protect their long-term vision, such as:
- Prescription glasses to correct distance vision
- Contact lenses for active children who prefer a glasses-free experience
- MiSight® 1 day contact lenses to slow myopia progression
- Other myopia management solutions tailored to your child’s needs
Early care and monitoring help your child see clearly now and reduce the risk of stronger prescriptions in the future.
Healthy vision habits for kids
You can also help protect your child’s eyes with some changes in daily habits:
- Encourage breaks during screen time to rest their eyes
- Ensure homework and reading areas are bright and glare-free
- Limit long periods of close-up work without short pauses
- Spend time outdoors, which research shows can help slow myopia progression
Combining these habits with professional care gives your child the best chance for healthy vision now and as they grow.
Support your child’s growing eyes
Spotting myopia early gives your child a better chance of stable, healthy vision. You don’t have to watch their prescription climb every year or see them struggle in school because they can’t see clearly.
Schedule an appointment at Family Eyecare of Orange today. You’ll help protect your child’s eyesight, support their success in the classroom, and give them the confidence that comes from sharp, comfortable vision.
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