If you’re a mum to a struggling reader or reluctant learner, then this article is for you. Vision problems in kids are a lot more common than you may expect. A staggering one in five Aussie kids have an undetected vision problem^. Could yours be one of them?
Getting help for your child could be as simple as booking them in for an eye test with your local optometrist.
Find your nearest optometrist nowMany of us don’t realise just how essential good vision is for classroom learning. Vision is responsible for 80% of learning in a child’s first 12 years# – and yet remarkably some kids go through their entire primary school career without ever having had a comprehensive eye examination, beyond a basic Maternal Child Health Check.
Vision problems in kids = learning issues?
When a child begins to lose interest or play up in the classroom, it’s not always obvious that it could be their eyes. Taking your child to a regular eye test is the best way to rule out any issues that could affect their learning, and even their ability to play ball during recess.
Be aware of the signs
The next best thing after a thorough eye test with an optometrist is to look out for these symptoms of vision problems in kids – specifically your kids.
- Frequent blinking
- Red or watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Frequently rubbing eyes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Tilting head noticeably
- Covering or closing one eye
- Difficulty learning to read
- Holding a book very close when reading
- Leaving out confusing words when reading
- Squinting or sitting very close when watching television
- Difficulty recognising familiar people in the distance
- Complaints of headaches, blurred or double vision
- One eye turns in or out while the other points straight ahead
Don’t let your child become a statistic
It’s as easy as hitting the button below and booking your child in for a thorough full-scope eye test with your local independent optometrist to make sure their eyes are fit for learning. Our community of 450 independently-owned optometrists are passionate about looking after families and helping you see clearly over your life.
Find your nearest optometrist now
^Optometry Australia #Vision Council of America, Making the Grade, 2009
