As the school year approaches, many parents are busy buying supplies, scheduling checkups, and preparing for the months ahead. Good vision is key to learning, and undetected vision issues can make it harder for your child to focus, read, and keep up with their peers. Here are some signs your child may need glasses before heading back to school.

Frequent Squinting

If you notice your child squinting often, especially when reading the board or watching TV, it could mean they are trying to adjust their vision to see more clearly. Squinting is a common sign of nearsightedness or other refractive errors.

Sitting Too Close to Screens

Does your child sit very close to the TV or hold a tablet inches from their face? This could indicate difficulty seeing objects clearly from a distance, a common sign of myopia.

Complaints of Headaches or Eye Pain

Children who struggle to focus their vision may experience frequent headaches, especially after reading, using the computer, or doing schoolwork. Eye strain from uncorrected vision problems can lead to discomfort that affects learning and concentration.

Covering One Eye or Tilting the Head

If your child consistently covers one eye, tilts their head, or turns their face to see something, they may be compensating for poor vision in one eye. This could be a sign of amblyopia (lazy eye) or another binocular vision issue.

Difficulty Reading or Losing Place on the Page

Struggling to track words, skipping lines, or losing their place while reading can indicate a vision problem, not just a reading challenge. Eye coordination issues or farsightedness may be the cause.

The Importance of Back-to-School Eye Exams

A comprehensive eye exam before the school year begins ensures your child’s vision is clear and comfortable for learning. Even if your child has passed school vision screenings in the past, those tests only check for basic distance vision - they often miss issues like eye coordination, focusing problems, or subtle prescription changes. By scheduling a pediatric eye exam, you can identify and address potential vision problems early, giving your child the best chance to start the year with confidence and success.

Ensure Your Child’s Vision Is Ready for School

The start of a new school year is the perfect time to ensure your child’s vision is at its best. Catching vision problems early can help your child feel more confident, comfortable, and capable in the classroom.

Schedule your child’s comprehensive eye exam at Westchester Eyes to ensure clear vision for a successful school year. Contact our offices in Yonkers, White Plains, or Pleasantville, New York, by calling (914) 586-EYES (3937) to book an appointment today.