Children’s visual system develops up to 8 years old. If left untreated, eye conditions can cause permanent eye disabilities that can affect a child’s future. This is why eye checks are of utmost importance: the sooner a condition is identified, the sooner your child can get the necessary treatment needed.

Since most eye conditions are not easily noticeable, children need to rely on routine checks to spot eye conditions. Below are some of the most common eye conditions that can be detected if eye checks are carried out:

1. Short-sightedness
This is probably the most well-known eye condition. As you are well aware of, this is when sufferers have difficulties viewing distant objects, while they experience no difficulties viewing objects that are close.

2. Long-sightedness
Opposite to short-sightedness, long-sightedness is when sufferers have difficulty viewing objects that are close, but can see objects that are distant clearly.

3. Lazy eye
This eye condition is very common among children. It occurs when the development of an eye is hindered, which causes reduced vision. Research has shown that it is a result of neurological deficit. This condition often affects only one of the eyes. Detecting this eye condition early will yield the best treatment outcome.

4. Color blindness
There are many forms of color blindness, ranging from having difficulties in distinguishing between colors to difficulties in actually seeing colors.

5. Squint
This is an eye condition that causes the eyes to look in different direction as each other. This is in fact easier to spot than other eye conditions. You will be able to see that 1 eye focuses on an object while the other eye turns to another direction.

6. Astigmatism
This eye condition is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea which results in blurred vision.

It is important for parents to identify signs of the eye conditions early on in order to give your child the best possible treatment to rectify the conditions. Some of these signs require simply checking of the physical condition of your child, such as checking to see if your child’s eyes are pointing at different directions (signs of squint). Other signs require a more up close daily observation, such as your child complaining of eye-strains, being clumsy, having to sit very close to the television, and constant rubbing of the eyes.

Always visit your medical professionals before embarking on any treatment.

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