Children's Vision

Most Important Sense for Learning?

Children's vision is arguably one of their most important senses.

Around 80% of children's learning comes through their eyes. Good vision is important for your child to develop to their full potential educationally, physically and socially. Vision disorders can disrupt the learning process and are common in school-aged children, with 1 in 10 Australian children suffering from a long-term eye disorder.

Children need a thorough eye examination every two years as they progress through school. Quick screenings detect only the most obvious problems; a full eye exam is essential to get a complete picture of the health of your child's eyes.

If you are a teacher or a parent, you are in a unique position to assist with detecting children's vision problems in the children under your care.

The three most common children's vision problems are:

Myopia - short sightedness or blurry long distance vision, such as trouble seeing the whiteboard at the front of the classroom clearly.

Hyperopia - long sightedness or difficulty focusing on objects up close such as reading a book. However, severe cases may also affect long distance vision.

Astigmatism - a distortion of vision that makes everything blurred at all distances.

Distinguishing between the three problems typically requires careful measurement of the irregularities in vision, using a Phoroptor.

Other common problems

Reading, writing and computing requires binocular co-ordination and related skills. This means that under normal circumstances, your child's eyes should co-operate together to focus and aim while either they or their "target" is moving.

An inability to do this effectively can result in eyestrain, losing their place while reading and poor comprehension. This can culminate in Streff Syndrome or Near Point Stress Syndrome.

The good news is that many of these skills can be taught to your child through a course of simple eye exercises.

Childrens Vision Problem Checklist

Here are some common symptoms that may be an indicator of vision problems with your child:

• One eye turns in or out while the other is straight
• Cannot concentrate for any length of time
• Loses place while reading
• Leaves out or confuses words while reading
• Slow in learning to read
• Eyes blink frequently
• Eyes frequently red
• Children with headaches or eyestrain
• Rubs eyes frequently
• Complains of blurred or double vision
• Poor hand-eye co-ordination
• Messy handwriting
• Tilts head noticeably when reading or watching tv
• Covers or closes one eye when reading
• Squints eyes to see in the distance
• Complains of eyes burning or itching

What can you do to help?

If your child uses a computer or gaming console for more than 2 hours a day, they are very likely to experience eyestrain or headaches with symptoms like blurred or double vision, losing focus or losing concentration. Make sure there is even lighting without reflections on the television or computer screen. Have them sit at least 1.5m back, or as far as any cables will allow. Encourage them to stand up and walk around briefly every 20 minutes.

When they read, make sure that there is good, even lighting. Encourage a small break every few pages, such as looking into the distance for 30 seconds. Daydreaming is good for the eyes!

However, your child's vision does not only develop through book work. Encourage them to play outside - this will help exercise many aspects of their vision simultaneously, through various types of activities such as playing games and sports.

Of course, ensure they have proper sun protection.