Myopia or nearsightedness is a vision condition that affects about 40 percent of the population. The condition usually develops in early childhood and can continue to progress until adulthood. Genetics play a major role in developing myopia, but the condition can also be the result of environmental and behavioral factors. 

 

Children as young as three years have received nearsightedness diagnoses. Having poor vision can affect your child’s education and overall quality of life. Some signs can let you know that your child may have myopia.

 

Holding Items Close to the Face

A good sign that your child may have myopia is that they hold objects too close to the face. If a myopic child is trying to read a book, they will bring it close to their face. They will also sit too close to the TV to see clear images. 

 

These are signs that your child has difficulties seeing objects at a distance. They may have problems with distance vision and cannot recognize people or objects at a distance.

 

A Child Is Constantly Squinting

When people struggle to focus, they end up squinting. This is the natural reaction to trying to see clearly, and it works temporarily. If your child is squinting when reading, watching TV, or performing other tasks, it could be due to myopia. 

 

Squinting causes a change in the eye-muscle tension, offering brief clarity. Patients with mild myopia often find that squinting allows them to see more clearly for a while.

 

Closing One Eye When Reading

If your child closes or covers one eye when reading, it is a sign of difficulty with vision. The action is a way to overcome blurred vision. Most people with myopia have a vision discrepancy between the two eyes. 

 

This means that one eye may be weaker than the other. Closing the weaker eye can help offer some clarity. If you notice your child doing this, you need to take them for a vision examination.

 

Experiencing Frequent Headaches

Frequent or consistent headaches are common symptoms of vision problems. If your child is constantly complaining of headaches, you need to take note of these symptoms. Find out when and how often they occur. 

 

Headaches can be due to a wide range of issues. If they occur several times a week, you need to schedule an eye exam for your child.

 

Constantly Rubbing the Eyes

Another sign that your child may have myopia is rubbing the eyes. This is a common symptom, especially for very young children who may not recognize other symptoms. Rubbing the eyes can be a sign of eye discomfort. 

 

If the rubbing occurs when using a digital device, there may be a connection to digital eyestrain. You should limit your child’s time to reduce the discomfort. If the rubbing continues, schedule an eye appointment.

 

Another sign that your child may have myopia is excess eye-watering resulting from discomfort in the eyes. It is vital to get an early diagnosis of this condition. This can help in implementing myopia control measures to slow down the progression of the disease. 

To find out if your child has myopia, schedule an appointment with Clarity Vision in Apex, North Carolina, at (919) 367-2832 today.