Pediatric Eye Exam

Signs Your Toddler Has Vision Problems

As a loving parent, you’re naturally looking out to safeguard all aspects of your child’s health, including their vision. One common piece of feedback we get from our patients who are parents is how to know whether or not their toddler is seeing correctly. After all, toddlers can’t verbalize any issues they may have. So, we tell our vigilant parents these signs to be on the lookout for. If you do notice one or more from the list below, we suggest you book an appointment for a pediatric eye exam in Corinth, MS with us.

Sitting Very Close to the TV or Holding Objects Very Close

Look at how your toddler interacts with things they are viewing. Do they sit inches from the screen or hold books super close to their face? This might be a sign they’re compensating for not seeing well from a normal distance. It’s their way of zooming in on what they want to see.

Rubbing Eyes Excessively

All kids rub their eyes now and then, especially when tired. However, if your toddler’s constantly rubbing their eyes, it could be a sign that their eyes are feeling strained, which is a common symptom of vision problems.

Poor Eye Tracking and Coordination

Take a minute and pay attention to how your toddler tracks objects or follows moving things. You could even move one of their toys slowly back and forth to check. Another sign is if they struggle or seem overly clumsy or if they have poor eye-hand coordination.

One Eye Drifting or Crossed Eyes

If one eye drifts outward or inward, it could be a sign of strabismus, where the eyes aren’t aligned properly and don’t work together. This can affect depth perception and needs to be checked out.

Closing One Eye

If your toddler closes one eye to look at things, it might just seem like a cute quirk, but it could also be they’re trying to see more clearly or reduce double vision.

If you spot any of these signs, visit your eye doctor in Corinth, MS at Corinth Eye Clinic. We offer pediatric eye exams that can gently discover any problems with vision that your toddler might be experiencing.

How Can I Tell If My Child Needs to See the Eye Doctor? 

Good vision can help your child in so many ways. Having good vision can help your child find success in the classroom, and can help your child participate in sports. Good vision can even help your child develop confidence in their abilities.

Taking your child to the eye doctor in Corinth, MS can help. You should know when to bring your child to their first eye appointment. In this article, we’ll discuss the timing of your child’s first eye appointment, and symptoms of an eye problem. Here’s what to know.

When To Bring Your Child for their First Eye Appointment

Experts recommend bringing your child to the eye doctor for their first eye appointment when they’re between the ages of 6 and 12 months. This is especially important if your child is at high risk for eye problems.

Your child is high risk if there is a family history of eye disease. You may also notice signs that your child has a vision problem, or your child’s pediatrician may have noticed signs of a problem. If this is the case for your child, see the eye doctor by the time they turn one year old.

Signs Your Child Needs to See the Eye Doctor

Your baby can’t tell you if their vision is unfocused, but you may notice other symptoms of a problem. Watch for:

  • Watery eyes
  • Eye rubbing
  • Eye redness
  • Rub their eyes frequently
  • Bulging eyes
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Wandering eyes

Can Babies Wear Glasses?

Babies can be fitted with glasses if they’re needed. Your baby’s eye doctor will help them find glasses that fit their face. Your baby will also need to wear a strap to keep their glasses on.

Contact Your Child’s Eye Doctor

If your child shows symptoms of an eye problem, take them in for their first pediatric eye exam in Corinth, MS. At Corinth Eye Clinic, we provide pediatric eye exams for patients like your child. Call today to make your child’s first eye appointment.

Pediatric Eye Exam

5 Common Childhood Eye Problems to Know

Many adult eye problems often begin in childhood, and early intervention and treatment may prevent or lessen the severity of these issues. At Corinth Eye Clinic, we offer pediatric eye exams in Corinth, MS, beginning at age six months, and any age thereafter. These exams focus on common childhood eye problems, and include tests for visual acuity, lazy eye, 3D vision, color vision, uneven tracking and more. Here are X common childhood eye problems to be aware of:

1. Amblyopia

Known as lazy eye, amblyopia is a condition where the muscles of one eye are working harder than the other. This results in poorer vision in the lazy eye. Early intervention has shown to be highly effective in improving the situation.

2. Ptosis

Known more commonly as drooping eyelid, this condition is often congenital, but it can also develop later in life. In severe cases, the field of view may be blocked, but early diagnosis and treatment can help.

3. Refractive Errors

The eyes of many children may develop refractive errors as the child grows, resulting in nearsightedness or farsightedness. There are several treatments available to help mitigate this error in refraction, so that the severity is lessened, and the eyesight is better preserved.

4. Conjunctivitis

Pink eye is common in childhood. It involves an inflammation in the delicate conjunctiva, which is the thin layer covering the white part of the eye. Cases can range from mild to severe, and early diagnosis and treatment can both lessen the severity and the duration of this infection.

5. Color Blindness

A child may have color blindness and not realize that their sense of color is any different than anyone else’s. A pediatric eye exam can detect this condition so that the child and parents can better adapt and take steps toward awareness and treatment.

Childhood eye problems like the ones listed above can negatively affect a child’s health and development in several ways, including hesitancy to socially engage with peers, frustration at not being able to see, read or perform well at sports and other activities, dwindling self-confidence and poor academic achievement. Don’t let hidden vision problems hinder your child’s development. Book a pediatric eye exam today with a pediatric eye doctor in Corinth, MS.