5 Symptoms That Could Mean Your Child Needs Glasses

Clear vision can help your child unlock their full potential to learn, play, and thrive. Many children struggle with undiagnosed vision problems that can significantly impact their academic performance, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Vision issues affect many school-age children, yet many cases go undetected for months or even years.

The challenge is that children often don’t realize their vision isn’t normal, making it difficult for parents to recognize when professional eye care is needed. Keep reading to learn five key symptoms that could indicate your child needs glasses!

Understanding Refractive Errors in Children

Refractive errors occur when the eye cannot properly focus light onto the retina, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. The most common types are nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These conditions can develop gradually, making them difficult to detect without an eye doctor’s evaluation.

Children’s eyes are still developing, and refractive errors can emerge or worsen as they grow. What makes pediatric vision care particularly important is that children’s brains are highly adaptable during their formative years.

Early intervention with corrective lenses can help ensure proper visual development and prevent long-term complications. The key to successful treatment lies in recognizing symptoms early, as children rarely complain directly about vision problems and instead develop compensatory behaviors that parents might overlook or misinterpret as behavioral issues.

Here are five symptoms that are reliable indicators that your child may need to see an eye doctor:

1. Frequent Squinting or Eye Rubbing

When children squint repeatedly or rub their eyes throughout the day, they may be unconsciously trying to improve their focus or relieve eye strain. Squinting temporarily can provide clearer vision for some children with refractive errors.

Excessive eye rubbing, especially when not related to allergies or sleepiness, often indicates visual discomfort. Children experiencing blurred vision may rub their eyes in an attempt to clear their sight, similar to how adults might blink hard to refocus.

If you notice your child squinting while watching television, looking at distant objects, or reading, this could be a clear indicator that corrective lenses would improve their vision.

2. Complaints of Headaches or Eye Fatigue

Children who frequently complain of headaches, particularly after school or homework time, may be experiencing eye strain from uncorrected refractive errors. When the eyes work harder to focus, it creates tension that can lead to headaches and general fatigue.

Eye fatigue manifests differently in children than in adults. You might notice your child becoming unusually tired after visual tasks, avoiding activities that require sustained focus, or expressing that their eyes feel “tired” or “hurt” during or after reading.

These symptoms are particularly common in children with hyperopia, as their eyes must work constantly to maintain clear vision.

3. Difficulty Concentrating on Schoolwork

Academic struggles aren’t always related to learning abilities or attention issues. Children with undiagnosed vision problems may have difficulty concentrating because they’re working much harder than their peers to see clearly.

When their vision is blurry, children may lose their place while reading, have trouble copying from the board, or struggle to complete assignments within normal timeframes. Teachers might report that your child seems distracted or has difficulty following along during lessons.

4. Sitting Too Close to Screens or Books

Children who consistently sit very close to televisions, computer screens, or hold books unusually close to their face may be compensating for nearsightedness. This allows them to bring objects within their range of clear vision.

While all children occasionally sit close to screens, persistent close-viewing behaviors, especially when combined with other symptoms, may indicate that it is a good idea to take your child to the eye doctor.

5. Avoidance of Reading or Close Work

Children who suddenly lose interest in reading, avoid homework, or resist activities requiring close visual attention may be experiencing visual discomfort. When seeing clearly requires significant effort, children naturally avoid tasks that cause strain or frustration.

This avoidance can be subtle, children might choose activities that don’t require sustained focus, express reluctance to read aloud, or become easily frustrated with schoolwork that was previously manageable. Parents and teachers might misinterpret this behavior as laziness or a lack of interest, when the underlying issue is actually visual discomfort that makes these activities genuinely challenging.

When to Schedule an Eye Exam

If your child shows any combination of these symptoms, scheduling a comprehensive eye exam is the most effective way to determine whether corrective lenses would improve their vision and quality of life. Early detection and treatment of refractive errors can prevent academic struggles and ensure proper visual development.

Our experienced team creates a comfortable, child-friendly environment that helps young patients feel at ease during their exam. We take the time to explain procedures in age-appropriate language and work patiently with children of all ages to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatment recommendations.

At Wilmington Eye, our pediatric eye care specialists use advanced diagnostic techniques specifically designed for children. We understand that each child’s visual needs are unique, and we work closely with families to develop treatment plans that support optimal vision development.

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Wilmington Eye in Wilmington or our Scotts Hill location near Hampstead, NC, today and give your child the gift of clear, comfortable vision that will serve them throughout their educational journey and beyond!