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As children begin school this month, many for the first time, it's important to understand that 80% of what is taught in schools is presented visually.
Therefore, being able to see clearly is incredibly important for your child's overall development as their eyesight allows them to learn and discover, and poor eyesight can cause both learning and behavioural issues.
It is vital to get your child's eyes tested before they go into full-time education, as healthy vision is vital for your child's educational, physical and social development and to help them reach their full learning potential.
The sooner, the better
Though most children have their eyes tested as part of their routine developmental checks, these aren't as thorough as a complete eye test from a qualified optometrist.
The experts at Spec-Savers recommend that children get a full eye test every 2 years from the age of six, unless a cause for concern arises at an earlier age.
These routine eye tests mean that any problems they may have can be identified early, and the sooner vision problems are detected, the better the outcome.
Signs to look out for
Below are six tell-tale signs that your child may have visual issues:
- Losing their place while reading or using a finger to keep their place
- Consistently sitting too close to the television, holding books or electronics too close or avoiding activities that require near or distance vision altogether
- Complaining about headaches or tired eyes and frequent eye-rubbing
- Squinting, light-sensitivity, tilting their head or closing one eye to see better
- The presence of a 'turn' or misdirection of the eyes or head
- A 'white reflex' in photographs - this is similar to red-eye, but it is white. If you notice this, you should seek immediate medical attention as this is extremely serious
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