Some visual impairments are harder to spot than others. While you might be able to understand that your child needs glasses because he or she sits close to the television, other signs aren’t quite as obvious. Below are four signs that your child might have a visual impairment.
Frequent Headaches
One of the big warning signs of visual impairment is frequent headaches. These tend to come because your child is having difficulty seeing objects in front of him or her, and is attempting to compensate. If your child complains of frequent headaches after reading or watching television, it’s usually a good idea to get into an eye doctor and get his or her eyes checked out.
Difficulties In School
Difficulties in school can also be a warning sign of visual impairment. If your child refuses to do homework, has difficulty reading in class, or complains any time he or she isn’t close to the front, a visual problem might be at the root of his or her behavior. It’s a good idea to work with a behavioral optometrist in order to remediate both the visual and behavioral issues that your child’s impairment might cause.
Difficulties With Physical Activity
Have you ever noticed that your child has difficulty with physical activities? Perhaps he or she has difficulty catching or throwing, or might consistently misjudge the length of a jump. If your child has problems with his or her vision, it can be difficult for him or her to complete some physical tasks. When you notice that your child simply cannot participate in certain physical activities that require good eye-sight or depth perception, it might be time to get his or her vision checked out.
Complaints About Reading
Finally, pay attention to your child when he or she says that he or she has difficulty reading. While learning to read can be tough, it’s even harder with visual impairments. Your child might have difficulty identifying several similar letters or have trouble with fine print. Your child might also mix things up on paper - his or her eyesight may simply make differentiating objects too hard. Try to stop and figure out why your child complains about reading to see if his or her eyesight might be the culprit.
There are more signs of visual impairment than you might initially assume. Pay attention to your child’s behavior and never be afraid to consult an optometrist if you have concerns. Dealing with these issues may not always be easy, but it’s better to get a professional evaluation sooner rather than later.
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Written By:
Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.
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Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.