Have you often noticed your child tilting their head while watching television, closing one eye in bright sunlight or struggling to catch a ball? These habits can easily be dismissed as little quirks. However, they could point to a vision problem called amblyopia or the lazy eye. In a study of 4,020 schoolchildren aged 5 to 15 in South India, 1.1% were found to have amblyopia. Before you consult an eye specialist, here are the signs you should look out for:
Lazy eye or amblyopia might not always be a reason for a change in your child’s appearance. However, certain habits and difficulties can hint that one eye is not developing normal vision.
See if your child squints at things far away or covers an eye against bright sunlight. They may also rub their eyes frequently. Pay attention especially when they are doing something that requires them to focus. This can happen when they are trying to see more clearly with their stronger eye.
Does your child turn their head when watching television, reading or looking at the blackboard? This can be interpreted as an attempt to find a position that makes seeing more comfortable. In some cases, children tend to adopt this habit as their eyes are not working together properly.
There are chances that one eye is turning inward, outward, upward or downward while the other looks straight ahead. This condition is called strabismus or squint. This predominantly happens because the brain ignores images from the misaligned eye, contributing to the lazy eye. Even then, amblyopia can occur without a visible eye turn. If such changes are noticed, consult an eye doctor for an examination.
Children with lazy eye have also been known to struggle with depth perception. Basically, this helps us understand how near or far an object is. Consequently, your child can find it difficult to catch a ball, pour water into a glass or judge the distance between steps. They might also bump into objects or trip more often.
Another problem that demands the intervention of an eye specialist is when your child often loses his or her place while reading or misses words. You may also find them putting off homework, taking frequent breaks or struggling to follow a line of text. Sometimes, reading itself may seem tiring for them. These difficulties can have other causes too. Still, if you notice them regularly, it is a good idea to have your child’s eyes examined.
A family history of lazy eye or other vision problems can increase a child’s chances of developing amblyopia. So, if either parent or another close family member has had an eye condition, it is useful to mention this during your child’s eye check-up.
Premature babies and children born with low birth weight may also have a higher risk. Developmental delays are another factor. Besides these, squint, significant refractive errors, childhood cataracts and droopy eyelids can interfere with normal vision development. Children with these conditions may need closer monitoring by an eye specialist or ophthalmologist.
If your child has lazy eye, the doctor will decide on treatment after checking their eyesight and finding out what is causing the problem. Listed here are some options that may be recommended depending on the examination.
If you have a cataract or a droopy eyelid that’s affecting your sight, an eye specialist might also tend to that issue. Your child will also need regular check-ups. The eye doctor will see how their vision is responding and decide if any changes to the treatment are needed.
Lazy eye does not always show obvious signs, so parents may not realise that their child is having trouble seeing clearly. Even then, repeated squinting, head tilting or difficulty with everyday visual tasks should not be brushed aside. If you notice these changes, book an eye examination. Finding the condition early gives your child a better chance of improving vision with the right treatment.
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