One in four American school-aged children has an undiagnosed vision problem, which can affect learning, behavior, confidence, and even long-term eye health. And while many parents think school vision screenings will suffice, these tests often overlook critical issues, leaving kids struggling in silence.
The unfortunate truth is that, according to multiple studies, even when kids need glasses, only 10% actually have them–a statistic that can and should change.
Why school vision screenings aren’t enough
While school vision screenings can be helpful for some, studies suggest that up to 60% of young children who fail them never receive a follow-up exam–rendering the tests useless.
Even when these screenings catch more obvious problems, most don’t adequately test for even common vision disorders, including:
- Mild cases of amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Significant refractive errors (severe nearsightedness or farsightedness)
- Astigmatism (irregular curvature of the eye, which can affect vision)
The cost of ignoring children’s eye health
Unaddressed vision problems do more than affect your child’s learning–they can have lifelong consequences. Studies show it’s not uncommon for kids with untreated vision disorders to:
- Fall behind in school
- Struggle with behavioral issues
- Even face permanent eyesight problems
This impact extends beyond children, too, costing families and the healthcare system an estimated $10 billion annually.
Fortunately, you can prevent many of these issues by taking a few simple steps to protect your children’s eye health–one of which is scheduling a comprehensive exam with an eye doctor.
And in the meantime, since most kids assume their eyesight is normal, it’s important to watch for subtle signs that may indicate a problem.
Signs your child needs glasses
Be sure to mention any of these signs to the doctor at your child’s eye appointment:
- Complaints about blurry or double vision: This may be obvious, but if your children say they can’t see clearly up close or far away, take them seriously. Double vision, in particular, may signal a more serious issue that requires immediate medical attention.
- Frequent squinting: Squinting is a classic sign of both nearsightedness (difficulty seeing far away) and farsightedness (difficulty seeing up close).
- Frequent headaches or eyebrow pain: These are common occurrences in those with uncorrected farsightedness; they’re often a direct result of squinting or straining one’s eyes to focus.
- Closing one eye to see better: This could indicate astigmatism, a condition that affects how light enters the eye.
- Excessive eye rubbing: Often a sign of eye strain, this may mean your child is working extremely hard to focus on objects near or far away.
- Sitting too close to screens or books: Moving closer to the TV or lowering their heads while reading can suggest nearsightedness.
- Losing their place while reading: Skipping lines or struggling to follow along may indicate a vision or eye muscle problem.
- Crossed or drifting eyes: If one eye looks misaligned or wanders off to the side, strabismus or amblyopia could be to blame.
- Clumsiness or poor eye-hand coordination: Trouble catching a ball, frequently bumping into objects, or tripping could indicate your child has vision issues.
- Difficulty in school: Struggling to concentrate, switching focus between near and far objects (such as writing in a notebook, then looking at a chalkboard across the room), or having trouble reading could signal a need for glasses.
- Other diagnosed attention issues: If any of your children have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), get their vision checked, as well. Refractive errors or conditions like juvenile cataracts can make it harder to focus.
Children’s eye health shapes their learning, confidence, and future success. Yet, only three states require comprehensive eye exams before school, leaving countless kids struggling with unaddressed eyesight problems.
By scheduling an eye exam early, you’re giving your children more than just clear vision. You’re giving them a foundation for success in and out of the classroom.
Don’t wait for a missed diagnosis to hold them back. One eye exam could change your children’s future.
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