Spotting Vision Problems
Toddlers are rarely able to let parents know that their eyes are bothering them in some way; if their vision isn’t what we call normal, they certainly aren’t aware that it’s any different than any one else’s. Most often it’s a parent’s observation that tips off the doctor to a potential vision problem. So keep alert for any of the following behaviors and symptoms and check to your doctor :
- An obvious inability to see well, often evidence by pronounced clumsiness or stumbling, or by seeming not to notice or recognize objects or people – either in the immediate environment or in the distance.
- Frequent eye rubbing, unrelated to sleepiness (eye-rubbing when a child is sleepy is normal), which usually indicates itchy, scratchy or burning eyes.
- Frequent squinting unrelated to bright sunlight, or face-scrunching when trying to perform a visual task. Remember, however, that either of these may be a temporary mannerism not linked to vision problems.
- Undue, sensitivity to light (evidence, for example, by squinting in discomfort when a light is turned on in a dimly-lit room) or frequent staring at lights
- Excessive tearing, unrelated to crying.
- Swelling, redness, or crusting of the eyes (lids may be crusted shut in the morning), or a yellowish-white or yellowish-green discharge (a sign of infection); swollen lids or frequent sties
- Eyes that seem to “bounce” or “dance” in rapid, rhythmic movements, or bulge.
- Frequent tilting of the head to one side, as though trying to see better.
- Holding the body rigid or at an angle when trying to look at distant objects.
- Repeated covering or shutting of one eye in apparent discomfort (as opposed to covering or shutting an eye periodically to see how the world looks with just one eyes open).
- Holding books, toys, and other objects close to the face in order to see then better, consistently sitting too close to the TV (though in toddlers this may be a normal fascination with seeing things up close rather than a sign of a vision problem).
- Avoiding entirely activities (such as looking at books) that require good vision.
- Eyes that look crossed or otherwise mis-matched, or that don’t move in unison.
- Pupils that are sometimes or always unequal in size (they should work simultaneously: getting larger in dim light, smaller in bright light) or that appear white instead of black.
- Difficulty distinguishing colors (though remember that young toddlers rarely are able to identify colors.
- Double vision : frequent headaches, dizziness, or nausea after doing close work (such as looking at books or television) only an older and very verbal toddler will be able to alert you to such symptoms.