Let's Talk About Eyes

The eyes are such a wonderful gift, allowing us to enjoy a bright and colourful life, capturing a wealth of wonderful sights and experiences. We only get one pair of eyes. An obvious statement, yet many are fastidious about visiting the dentist (which is great!) but don’t give the same attention to their vision. There is no second chance with the eyes. Once the damage is done, whilst the effects may not be apparent for many decades, it is irreversible.

What to Look Out For

A child should have their eyes examined at least every two years from their pre-school year, but earlier and more frequently if you have any cause for concern. It is very hard to spot if a small child has an issue with their vision. They won’t know the way the see isn’t normal. Here are some things to look out for:

● Headaches and sore eyes - your child rubbing their eyes or temples.

● Difficulty concentrating - often apparent when a child starts school, for instance if they are struggling focus on the smartboard for prolonged periods.

● Losing their place when reading or complaining that the words seem jumbled, wobbly or that the letters are moving on the page.

● Having issues with coordination for example when playing ball games or balancing, or perhaps they just seem a little clumsy and accident prone.

● Squinting or closing one eye when reading or watching television.

● Eyes pointing in different directions which can be particularly obvious when they are tired.

● Showing sensitivity to light or the glare from a screen, or having very watery eyes.

None of these mean your child definitely has an issue with their eyesight but they are worth booking them in for an eye examination to eliminate the possibility. Ultimately, trust your instinct and never, ever think you’re wasting an optometrist’s time by getting something checked over.

“I Have Just Found Out My Child Needs Glasses…”

This can be very upsetting for a parent. No one wants their child to meet a hurdle in life but there are now so many options it doesn’t mean they need to be restricted in any way.

Here are some tips if you find they need vision correction. Let your child choose frames they love: there are so many fab designs out there, character frames for little ones to trendy ones for budding fashionistas. Find ones that they want to show off and embrace them, showing excitement when they first wear them. They will quickly love their new accessory. Let them take time to get used to them: don’t force them to wear them all the time. Ease them in and reward them for remembering to put them on.

Glasses for all occasions: having a prescription shouldn’t restrict your child, from prescription goggles for swimming, to wrap around glasses for playing sport. In fact, correcting their vision should help them with coordination and spatial awareness, so could have a hugely positive impact.

Contact lenses are for kids too: there are so many options available for children as young as seven. Ortho-K lenses worn overnight, reshaping the eye so the child can have perfect vision by day without wearing glasses or lenses to school. Myopia Management lenses, reducing the progression of short-sightedness in children so when they reach adulthood their prescription will be a lot lower than it would be if left untreated. And dailies, which are perfect for children who feel self-conscious wearing glasses or feel their eyewear gets in the way of their dailies lives. Not all opticians offer contact lenses for children, so if you want to explore your options, look around for one that specialises in children’s lenses.

If you have found that your child needs glasses, please try not to worry. Ensure their vision is closely monitored and embrace their new eyewear.

Find Out More

If your child is due an eye examination or you have any concerns about their vision, award-winning optometrists at Cameron Optometry would be delighted to help. Book a free examination by calling 0131 225 2235 or book online at www.cameronoptom.com.