Vision impacts the way we live our lives and interpret the world around us. For kids, vision affects how they participate in class, how they learn and take tests, how they behave, how they perform in sports and games and so many other endeavors. Their sight can influence their self-confidence and how they respond in educational and social situations. If poor vision makes it challenging to learn, a child may act out in unexpected ways and even cause disruptions in the classroom.

A child can have vision problems and not realize it. They have no reference for what 20/20 vision looks like, after all — they’re simply accustomed to their own sight. That’s why it’s up to the people who love them to look for signs that they might be struggling, and ask for help from their pediatrician, family doctor, or a vision specialist like an ophthalmologist or optometrist if needed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just about 7% of children younger than 18 in the United States have been diagnosed with an eye or vision condition, and around 3% have blindness or vision impairment (people with vision impairment still struggle to see when wearing corrective lenses). Many more, however, are living with undiagnosed vision problems. The American Optometric Association states that one in four children has a vision disorder requiring diagnosis and treatment by a doctor, yet 93% of them have not seen an eye doctor.  

Fortunately, many common vision issues can be corrected and treated, if you know what to look for. Here are six signs and behaviors to look for that may indicate your child is having problems with their eyes and/or their vision.

  1. They rub their eyes frequently. A little eye rubbing is normal. It can happen because the eyes are irritated, dry or simply tired. But it can also happen if a child is having trouble with their vision. If you notice eye rubbing, pay attention to when it happens. If it tends to occur when the child is trying to focus on something, or when they’re playing, it could indicate a possible vision problem.

  2. They orient themselves in an unusual way. Does your child hold a book very close to their face, or prefer to sit especially close to the television or a device when viewing it? Do they turn their head to the side when looking at something? It’s possible that they’re having trouble seeing what’s in front of them.

  3. They avoid activities that demand focus. Does your child opt out of activities such as reading, drawing, coloring, playing games or other pursuits that require them to see clearly? If you notice a pattern of avoidance or refusal, talk to your doctor. The behavior could be related to vision issues.

  4. They lose their place when reading. If you notice that your child repeats words or sentences when reading, or gets lost in the page, it could also be related to vision challenges.

  5. They have a short attention span. If a child is especially fidgety or distracted, it could be that they lose interest quickly because they can’t clearly see what’s going on.

  6. They’re experiencing headaches, discomfort, fatigue, and/or frequent blinking. Vision problems can cause your child to experience discomfort or even pain. If you’re noticing a pattern, talk to your doctor.

Before you know it, school will be back in session and kids will be busy with homework, sports, friends and all the activities they know and love. Help them be their best and make an appointment for a vision screening. The sooner you get their eyes checked, the quicker you can help them see more clearly.