Detecting Vision Difficulties Prior To Kindergarten

One of the most important screenings your preschooler needs for kindergarten is the vision screening. Kindergarten activities require a child to have the fine motor coordination to write and the hand eye coordination to begin learning physical tasks such as playing ball. On the surface, these activities seem less about vision and more about coordination. Parents may overlook the connection between good vision and physical activities. A preschooler with vision problems may be written off as clumsy when they are actually struggling with tasks requiring hand eye coordination.

Warning Signs of Vision Problems

Alert parents can pick up some clues that their preschool may be experiencing difficulty seeing. Behaviors that may indicate a preschooler is having difficulty seeing include:
-Complaining of headaches
-Squinting or Eye Rubbing when the preschooler is not tired
-Constantly sitting too close to the television
-Holding a book up close to their face
-Avoiding activities such as coloring or writing that use up-close vision
-Avoiding activities such as playing ball or tag that use distance vision

If parents see these behaviors, it is definitely time to schedule an appointment with the family eye care provider.

Types of Vision Difficulties

Vision problems are described using various terms. Farsighted, nearsighted, astigmatism, strabismus are all terms related to vision problems. Parents should understand what these words mean.

Farsightedness occurs when the eye is too short. It is not unusual for a young child to be farsighted, children often squint or close one eye to accommodate for the blurry close vision. If your child is farsighted, they do not see as well up close. A farsighted child might have strabismus, or crossed eyes. Often the strabismus is corrected when the preschooler begins wearing glasses, although surgery may be needed if the strabismus is severe.

Nearsightedness causes foggy distance vision. Unlike nearsightedness, preschoolers can not make accommodations to improve distance vision. If your preschooler appears not to see distances well, make sure your eye practitioner tests for both close and distance vision.

Astigmatism occurs when the shape of the eye is not completely round. This results in blurry vision if the astigmatism is severe enough. Glasses can correct astigmatism and clear up blurry vision.

Vision Screenings or Eye Exam?

Most pediatricians or school nurses complete simple vision screenings. Simple vision screenings may catch some vision problems, but not all. A vision screening often only tests distance vision. It is possible to pass a screening and still not see well. If your child has passed a vision screening, but still has some of the warning signs, schedule a more thorough eye exam.

An eye exam should consist of several screenings. Screenings that most eye care practitioners use include screenings of near and distance vision, eye coordination and movement, focusing skills and hand eye coordination. Thorough eye examinations discover vision difficulties that a screening may miss.

If your preschooler has not had a thorough eye examination, schedule one prior to kindergarten entry. Many academic skills rely on adequate vision. Help your preschooler succeed in kindergarten and ensure good vision by having an eye exam soon.