Healthy vision plays a crucial role in a child’s learning, development, and overall quality of life. Since so much of early learning is visual, undetected vision issues can impact school performance, coordination, and confidence. Understanding the most common eye conditions in children and how they can be treated helps parents take the right steps toward protecting their child’s sight.
 

Common Refractive Errors in Children

Refractive errors occur when the eye does not bend light correctly, leading to blurry vision. These conditions are among the most frequent vision issues seen in young children:
 

•          Myopia (Nearsightedness): One of the most common childhood vision problems, myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry. With increasing screen time and reduced outdoor activity, cases of childhood myopia are on the rise.

•          Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Children with hyperopia may see distant objects clearly but struggle with near tasks like reading or writing.

•          Astigmatism: Caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, astigmatism can blur both near and distance vision.
 

Detecting and treating refractive errors early, along with managing conditions like myopia through specialized myopia management strategies, ensures children can learn and play without unnecessary challenges.
 

Strabismus and Amblyopia

Beyond refractive errors, some children may experience conditions that require more specialized care:
 

•          Strabismus (Eye Turn): A misalignment of the eyes, strabismus may cause one eye to turn inward, outward, upward, or downward. Left untreated, it can interfere with binocular vision and depth perception.

•          Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): Often linked to strabismus or significant differences in refractive error between the two eyes, amblyopia occurs when the brain favors one eye over the other. Without treatment, this can lead to long-term vision reduction in the weaker eye.
 

Both conditions can often be addressed through vision therapy, which uses customized exercises and activities to train the brain and eyes to work together more effectively.
 

Convergence Insufficiency

Another vision issue that can affect children is convergence insufficiency - a condition where the eyes struggle to work together as a team. Even if a child’s eyes appear straight, a convergence problem can cause significant discomfort and difficulties.
 

Children with convergence insufficiency may experience:
 

•          Frequent headaches or eye strain

•          Difficulty reading or staying focused on near tasks

•          Skipping lines or losing their place when reading

•          Motion sickness or dizziness

•          Poor depth perception, making sports and coordination harder
 

Because these symptoms often mimic learning or attention difficulties, convergence insufficiency can sometimes be overlooked. Fortunately, vision therapy is highly effective in treating this problem by improving the coordination and alignment of the eyes, leading to clearer, more comfortable vision.
 

Saccadic Dysfunction

Saccadic dysfunction, or an eye tracking problem, is another common problem seen in children. When we read, our eyes have to find what word is next, and find the start of the next line. Children with an eye tracking problem may have symptoms of:
 

·      Loss of place while reading

·      Difficulty remembering what is read
 

Saccadic dysfunction is also most effectively treated by a program of vision therapy.
 

The Importance of Early and Regular Pediatric Eye Exams

Because many vision problems show few obvious symptoms, children may not realize they’re struggling to see clearly. Regular pediatric eye exams are essential for detecting issues early - before they interfere with schoolwork, sports, or social development. We recommend that children have their first comprehensive eye exam at around 6-12 months, again at age 3, and before starting school. After that, yearly exams help monitor changes as they grow.
 

Partner with US for Expert Pediatric Eye Care

Vision issues such as myopia, strabismus, amblyopia, and convergence insufficiency are common in young children, but with early detection and effective treatment, their impact can be minimized. Our team specializes in pediatric eye care, myopia management, and vision therapy to give your child the clear and healthy vision they need to succeed.
 

If you’re concerned about your child’s vision, contact Vision Rehabilitation Associates to schedule a pediatric eye exam today. Visit our office in Northbrook, Illinois, or call (847) 716-2340 to book an appointment today.