Vision screenings, which some kids have through the school nurse or their family doctors, are helpful, but they are not diagnostic, and they typically identify only a small portion of the vision problems in children. Comprehensive eye exams are necessary to detect problems that a simple screening can miss, such as eye coordination, lazy eye, and near and farsightedness.

One in four students has a visual impairment, therefore, millions of children will start school this year with a vision problem that may inhibit their ability to learn and ultimately affect the rest of their lives. These problems can affect comprehension performance in reading, writing and concentration. Studies indicate that 60 percent of children identified as “problem learners” actually suffer from undetected vision problems and in some cases have been inaccurately diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

However, parents can also play an important role in looking out for certain behaviors and warning signs that could indicate an eye problem. Warning signs parents should watch for include:

• Loses place while reading
• Avoids close work
• Tends to rub eyes
• Has headaches
• Turns or tilts head
• Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing
• Uses finger to maintain place when reading
• Omits or confuses small words when reading
• Consistently performs below potential
• Struggles to complete homework
• Squints while reading or watching television
• Has behavioral problems
• Holds reading material closer than normal