Home » Blog » What are the Most Common Vision Problems that Children Suffer From?

Posted by: Georgia Center for Sight

As a parent, it is normal to worry about all the little problems your children bring to you, especially when those problems are related to their eye health. How do you know if the issues they are having are normal or something to be more concerned about? By doing a little research, you can give both you and your child peace of mind knowing the most common vision problems that children suffer from, and know when they need to make an appointment with Georgia Center for Sight.

According to the American Optometric Association, children’s vision is directly related to their success in the classroom. Proper visual skills are essential for educational success, whether they are reading or working on the computer. The best way to ensure your child’s visual impairment doesn’t hinder their education is to know just how serious their issues are and to know when it’s time to see a professional. 

As for the most common visual impairments in children, thankfully, there is a short list that you should be aware of. First and foremost, refractive errors such as astigmatisms, farsightedness, and nearsightedness are the most common. 

Astigmatism is a common vision condition that causes blurred vision in children and adults. It occurs when the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is irregularly shaped or sometimes because of the curvature of the lens inside the eye. If your child complains of blurry vision, this issue is most likely the culprit, but you should still make an appointment to get their eyes checked and treated by a professional. 

Nearsightedness, also called myopia, is one of the most common vision problems in children. It can make it easy for your child to work on their homework at their desk, but it can make them struggle to view the teacher’s notes on the whiteboard. The most prominent symptom of this is blurry vision at long distances. 

Farsightedness is another refractive error that works in the exact opposite way. While your child may have no problems seeing the whiteboard at school or noticing details across the playground, they might struggle to read. This may be due to farsightedness (also known as hyperopia), which can make the text on books look blurry since it’s so close to their face. The most common symptom to look for is eye strain and difficulty seeing homework or the book in front of them.

Regardless of which ailment your child may suffer from, it is imperative that you have them visit an eye doctor annually to make sure their condition does not worsen. By researching the most common visual impairments in children, you can identify symptoms earlier and ensure that your child performs the best that they can in the classroom.

If you are interested in setting up an appointment with us for your child, you are in luck! At Georgia Center for Sight, Dr. Hacker and Flood specialize in treating children and would be more than happy to meet yours. If you have not made an appointment for your child with one of our Ophthalmologists at Georgia Center for Sight, we recommend you visit our website at www.georgiacenterforsight.com and contact your GCFS office to schedule an appointment.