In our last blog we discussed that one in five children have been found to have a visual issue. This may affect their ability to attend but may also affect their ability to see and function in their world.
It is important to know how to pick up a visual issue at home and in the classroom. Visual symptoms tend to be missed as there is really no good information on vision available to the general public, or for that matter, many healthcare professionals.
Signs of visual issues including vision, focusing issues and tracking issues include:
- Blurred vision at near or in distance
- Complaints of intermittent double vision
- Squinting eyes
- Tired eyes or strain
- Headaches
- Frequently rubbing eyes
- Shutting an eye or turning one’s head
- Holding print close
- One eye turns in or out while the other points straight ahead
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Difficulty reading or learning to read
- Leaving our or confusing words when reading
- Difficulty recognising familiar people in the distance
If teachers or parents notice signs of a visual issue at home or in the classroom a comprehensive paediatric eye exam is necessary to determine if a visual problem exists. This should be done as soon as possible as it may be affecting a child or adult’s ability to learn or attend effectively. Children do not normally know there is an issue as they have always seen this way. We often hear “the words have always blurred… that’s normal isn’t it?”
If an acute issue or sudden change to vision is noted then prompt attendance to an optometrist or ophthalmologist is needed. This should be done today…. Not tomorrow!
Signs of visual issues where an eye infection or an acute eye issue may have developed include:
- Severe or sudden eye pain
- Hazy, or sudden reduction or change to vision
- Seeing flashes of light (like lightening) or sudden increase of floating spots to normal
- Seeing rainbows or halos around lights
- Seeing floating spider webs or a curtain coming down over one eye
- Sensitivity to light or glare
- Swollen, red eyes
- White areas in the pupil of the eye
- Itchy, burning or heavy discharge
At Pezzimenti Nixon Optometrists all of our optometrists have years of experience in picking up visual issues and are trained to detect and diagnose acute visual issues and infections. In the majority of cases the earlier a person is examined the better their outcome is. If you are not sure please ring or email our practice. Better to be safe than sorry.
