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Children, especially toddlers are unable to tell their parents that they have trouble seeing clearly. Therefore, parents are usually the first to notice signs indicating their child’s vision may need checking.
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Here are the most common vision issues, and they can be easily corrected by glasses.
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 Myopia (Near-sightedness)
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Myopia or short sightedness is a common problem among Singaporeans. We have one of the highest rates of myopia in the world and our children are becoming myopic at a younger age. Myopia usually develops in children of school-going age and may continue to change up to the early 20s.
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For a person who has myopia , close objects are clear, but distant objects are blurred and difficult to distinguish. This is because either the optics of the eye are too strong or the eye’s length is too long. When the eyeball is "too strong", the image will be focused at a point in front (short) of the retina, thus the name.
Myopia typically runs in the family and the risk is higher if one or both of the parents are also myopic. Recent studies have suggested that spending more time in outdoor activities reduces the risk of a child developing myopia.
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Not being able to recognize or showing disinterest in objects that are six meters and more away.
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Tendency to move closer to things in order to see them, for example when watching TV or reading.
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Frequent complaints about headaches or red, sore eyes
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Hyperopia (Far-sightedness)
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Hyperopia is often present in early childhood. Sometimes normal growth corrects the problem.
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Longsighted people see better at a distance but may find it difficult to focus on near objects. Although distance objects are properly focused, the extra "accommodation" required to focus on near objects may cause eyestrain, headaches, or blur. People who have stronger hyperopia may also experience eyestrain and headaches when looking at distant objects.
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Showing irritation when asked to do near work such as reading or drawing.
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Headaches.
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Rubbing his or her eyes, red, sore eyes.
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Astigmatism
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People with astigmatism may have blurred near and distant vision. They do not perceive the contrasts between horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines in the same way. Astigmatism can be a visual error on its own or is accompanied by myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia.
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Astigmatism is usually caused by an irregularly-shaped cornea that is slightly oval, that is more curved in one direction than another. Which causes images to blur because light rays are focused on some parts of the eye and not others. Objects that are close-up or far off can be equally unclear.
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Mild astigmatism may produce no symptoms. The greater the astigmatism, the greater the distortion of vision – both near and far. Children with astigmatism may be too young to notice or describe astigmatism. They may frown, squint, or pull objects close. They may also tilt or turn their head. This may lead to eyestrain, fatigue, or headaches.
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Advice to Parents
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If you suspect a visual disorder, take your child to your family doctor or qualified optometrist. Your child’s eyes can be checked at any age. For some problems, they may refer your child to an ophthalmologist. Most issues can be easily corrected with glasses. Don't hesitate to talk to your optometrist, pediatrician or eye doctor if you have any concerns about your child's vision.
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