August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, which makes it the perfect time to think about something many parents overlook during back-to-school preparations: their child’s vision. While shopping lists are usually filled with notebooks, backpacks, and new shoes, a vision screening rarely makes the cut. Yet clear vision is one of the most important tools a child needs to succeed in the classroom.
Studies suggest that a large percentage of what children learn in school is presented visually, through reading, writing on the board, worksheets, and screens. If a child cannot see clearly, keeping up with schoolwork becomes an uphill battle, even if they are bright and motivated. The tricky part is that children, especially young ones, often do not realize their vision is a problem. They assume that blurry or strained vision is simply how everyone sees the world. That is why it falls to parents, teachers, and pediatric providers to watch for the warning signs.
Why Vision Problems Are Easy to Miss
Unlike adults, children rarely walk up and say, “I think I need glasses.” Instead, vision issues tend to manifest as behavioral changes, physical complaints, or academic struggles. A child who is squinting at the whiteboard might just look like they are concentrating hard. A child who avoids reading might be labeled as simply uninterested in books. A child who sits unusually close to the television might just seem to enjoy the show. These small clues are often dismissed or misunderstood, which allows vision problems to go untreated for months or even years.
This is precisely why routine vision screenings matter so much, particularly before the start of a new school year when visual demands increase significantly.
Common Signs Your Child May Need a Vision Screening
1. Squinting or Closing One Eye
Squinting is one of the most recognizable signs of a vision problem. When a child squints, they are attempting to reduce the amount of light entering the eye and sharpen a blurry image. If you notice your child squinting at the television, during homework, or while trying to read street signs from the car, it is worth paying attention. Closing one eye to look at something can also indicate an issue with eye alignment or a significant difference in vision between the two eyes.
2. Frequent Headaches
Headaches, especially ones that occur after reading, doing homework, or looking at a screen for an extended period, can be a sign of eye strain. When a child’s eyes have to work harder than they should to focus, the surrounding muscles can become fatigued, leading to headaches or even eye discomfort. If your child regularly complains of head pain after these activities, a vision screening can help determine whether their eyes are the cause.
3. Sitting Too Close to Screens
Kids who sit inches from the television or hold tablets and books very close to their faces may be nearsighted, meaning they have trouble seeing objects far away. While some children simply prefer being close to a screen out of habit, consistently sitting closer than necessary is often the eyes compensating for blurry distance vision.
4. Difficulty Reading or Avoiding Reading Altogether
If your child suddenly begins avoiding reading, frequently loses their place, uses a finger to track words, or seems to read far below their expected grade level, vision could be part of the issue. Reading requires the eyes to move smoothly across a page and refocus repeatedly. When vision is impaired, this becomes tiring and frustrating, leading many children to avoid the activity entirely.
5. Tilting the Head or Covering One Eye
A child who consistently tilts their head to one side or covers one eye while reading or watching television may be experiencing double vision or an eye alignment issue, such as strabismus. These behaviors are the child’s way of instinctively correcting the image they see, and they should not be ignored.
6. Poor Hand-Eye Coordination
Children with undiagnosed vision problems sometimes struggle with tasks that require hand-eye coordination, such as catching a ball, coloring within the lines, or writing neatly. If your child seems unusually clumsy or has difficulty with these fine-motor skills, it may be worth having their vision checked.
7. Excessive Eye Rubbing or Watery Eyes
While occasional eye rubbing is normal, especially when a child is tired, frequent rubbing, redness, or watery eyes can point to eye strain or other underlying issues that a screening can help identify.
8. Declining Grades or Behavior Changes at School
Teachers are often the first to notice when a child struggles to see the board or their worksheets clearly. This can manifest as declining grades, difficulty paying attention, or a child who seems increasingly frustrated with schoolwork. If teachers report these concerns, it is worth considering vision as a possible contributing factor.
Why Screenings Matter More Than Ever
Many vision problems, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, develop or become more noticeable during the school-age years. Left uncorrected, these issues can affect academic performance, self-esteem, and even social development, as children may withdraw from activities they find difficult due to poor vision.
The encouraging news is that most vision problems are easy to detect through a simple screening and are highly treatable once identified. Whether the solution is glasses, a referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist, or simply monitoring the situation over time, catching issues early gives children the best possible chance to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
What Happens During a Vision Screening
A pediatric vision screening is quick, painless, and appropriate for children of nearly any age, including toddlers and preschoolers who cannot yet read an eye chart. Screenings typically check visual acuity (how clearly a child can see at various distances), signs of eye alignment problems, and general eye health. If any concerns arise during the screening, your child’s provider can refer you to a pediatric eye specialist for a more comprehensive exam.
Tips for Parents Heading Into the School Year
As you prepare for the school year ahead, keep these tips in mind:
Watch your child during everyday activities like reading, watching television, and playing outside for any of the warning signs described above.
Ask your child directly whether things ever look blurry, doubled, or hard to see, since younger children may not volunteer this information on their own.
Stay in communication with teachers throughout the year, as they are in a unique position to notice changes in how your child interacts with visual material in the classroom.
Schedule a vision screening as part of your back-to-school routine, alongside other important checkups like physicals and immunizations.
Partnering With Your Wake Forest Pediatrics
Your child’s pediatric provider plays an important role in monitoring their overall health, including their vision. Regular well-child visits are a great opportunity to bring up any concerns you may have noticed, no matter how small they seem. Our providers are experienced in performing thorough vision screenings and know exactly what signs to look for at every age and developmental stage.
As Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month reminds us, healthy vision is foundational to a child’s ability to learn, play, and grow with confidence. If you have noticed any of the signs mentioned above, or if it has simply been a while since your child’s last vision screening, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment. Our team is here to answer your questions, ease any worries, and help make sure your child starts the school year seeing their very best. Contact our office today to schedule your child’s vision screening and get ahead of the school year with confidence.
