Children's vision problems often go unnoticed, visual disorders are difficult to spot, and yet checking their eyesight is important!

It is true that the task is not that simple: how can you detect a vision problem in someone who is not even aware of it?

What are the different disorders? Which signs should make you react? What should you do? Don’t worry! All the answers are here

What are the possible visual disorders in children?

It is important to pay particular attention from birth until the age of 7, a period during which your little ones develop their visual acuity ????. Although generally not severe, these visual disorders can lead to a visual impairment if they are not treated.

There are different types of vision problems:

• Strabismus: corresponds to an abnormal deviation of the eye.
• Hyperopia: causes blurred near vision or clear but blurred distance vision.
• Myopia: causes blurred distance vision and clear near vision.
• Astigmatism: results in an imprecise vision both near and far.
• Amblyopia: images received by one eye are ignored by the brain (a disorder generally noticed in young children's vision)
  
  

How to spot the signs of a child’s vision problem?

Signs to consider if your child is under 2 years old

• The baby has crossed eyes after 4 months.
• They do not like having one eye covered and make it known!
• You notice them turning their head to focus on an object.
  
  

Signs to consider if your child is between 2 and 5 years old

• They often bump into things. They have difficulty seeing different obstacles properly, and always look from the same side.
• They look very closely at objects they are holding.
• They get too close to the television screen.
• They avoid prolonged activities involving near vision.
  
  

The signs are even more subtle when it comes to identifying certain childhood vision problems! Vision problems can have consequences on their behaviour: the child may be “too” quiet or, on the contrary, very restless.

Signs to consider if your child is over 6 years old

• They systematically squint to see from a distance and bring their face very close to what they are looking at. The most typical case: when the child is writing, they lean directly over their notebook.
  
  

• The child experiences some difficulties at school. They may confuse certain letters: “H” and “M”, for example.
  
  

• They regularly complain of headaches at the end of the day.
  
  

How to react to warning signs?

If one of these symptoms appears in your child's vision, it is essential to visit an ophthalmologist in order to carry out a complete eye examination.

It is also important to consider taking all children for an ophthalmological examination around the age of 3 in order to detect any visual problems. Regular visits to the paediatrician and ophthalmologist are highly recommended! Even in the absence of any observed signs, these appointments are advised.

Did you know?

• Myopia usually appears around the age of 7-8
  
  

• The most common visual disorders in young children are: hyperopia and astigmatism
  
  

• So-called reading glasses can be genuinely useful for children, provided they are worn when necessary!
  
  

• The increasing use of screens worsens visual disorders. Ideally, activities requiring near vision (colouring, screens, reading) should be alternated with activities involving distance vision (outdoor activities)
  
  

There you go, you now have the most important information to help you identify your children's visual disorders! Poor eyesight in children can have significant medical and social consequences: delays in learning to read, isolation… So let’s not ignore them!

To take even better care of your little ones' eyesight: the team recommends having them wear children's sunglasses ????. From an early age, it is important for them to wear sunglasses for better eye health in the future!

We hope we have given you the necessary advice to monitor your children's visual disorders, and we look forward to seeing photos of our Binocle on their little noses!

The team sends you a big hug, see you soon!