As a parent or guardian, you will be naturally concerned about vision issues in your child. But while some kids may exhibit noticeable signs of vision issues, others may not show any. For instance, you may notice your little one holding objects close to their face or squinting.

These can be obvious signs of vision problems, but your child may not comprehend the issue or be able to communicate with you about it. The most common children's vision issues include:
 

Myopia

Also referred to as nearsightedness, it is the most prevalent vision problem in children. Myopia occurs when your child's cornea is too curved or the eye's length is too long. This causes light to focus incorrectly on the retina, which is the back part of the eye.

As a result, your little one experiences blurry vision when looking at distant objects. On the other hand, they enjoy perfect vision when looking at near objects. It can be due to indulging in excessive close-up activities, lack of outdoor activities, or genetics.

Hyperopia 

Hyperopia is another common vision problem in children. Also referred to as farsightedness, it is the exact opposite of myopia. It occurs when your kid's eye length is abnormally short. This causes light coming into the eye to focus incorrectly on the retina.

Consequently, your little one will experience blurry vision when looking at nearby objects. However, they have perfect, sharp vision when looking at distant objects. This condition can be hereditary and often subsides as your child's eyes grow.

Amblyopia

Also called lazy eye, amblyopia is another common vision issue in children. It occurs when one of your kid's eyes is weaker than the other. It happens when there is an issue with the nerve or eye muscle. It can also occur when there is a significant disparity in the vision between the two eyes. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss in the weaker eye.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is another common pediatric vision issue. It happens when your kid's cornea or lens of the eye is not proportionally shaped. This results in the light entering the eye focusing unevenly on the retina. This causes your child to experience blurred or distorted vision for far and near objects. It can be hereditary or develop after your child suffers an injury to the eye.

Strabismus 

Commonly referred to as crossed eyes, strabismus is also prevalent in children. It occurs when your kid's eyes are misaligned. It can be a result of issues with the eye nerve or muscle. If your child has strabismus, they may experience depth perception or double vision.

To treat the above common vision issues in children, you should start by seeing your pediatric eye doctor. They can prescribe various optical options like contact lenses or eyeglasses. A customized vision therapy program can also help your child's vision.

For more on common vision issues in kids, contact Dry Eye Center of Alabama and Family Eye Care at our Homewood, Alabama office. Call (205) 490-2322 to schedule an appointment today.