Clear vision is essential to a child’s quality of life, as well as their academic, social, and emotional development. Any visual impairments can disrupt their growth from the development of fine motor skills to language.
| DID YOU KNOW? Up to the age of 12, children obtain 80% of their knowledge through visual learning. |
As parents, we generally think about our little one’s physical and mental development, yet overlook vision development, which is a critical aspect of their growth.
Some of the issues children may face with their eyesight include:
- Myopia (shortsightedness)
- Hypermetropia (longsightedness)
- Astigmatism
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
While refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism can be corrected quite easily with glasses, amblyopia and strabismus are more serious visual conditions that require early intervention for more successful treatment and management
Comprehensive Children’s Eye Exams in Nairobi
At Eyecare Consultants Ltd, we have been serving families in Nairobi for over forty years with high quality and trustworthy optical services. Our optometrists conduct comprehensive eye exams for children that go into much more depth than a simple vision screening.
We are able to assess:
- Overall health and vision history
- Visual acuity
- Colour vision
- Eye muscle movements
- Peripheral vision
From customized advice and treatment to advanced products such as myopic control lenses, we help ensure your child has the clear and healthy vision they deserve to reach their full potential.
6 Signs Your Child Needs an Eye Exam
Young children with undiagnosed vision problems are often unaware that they see differently from everyone else, making it difficult for them to communicate about any symptoms regarding an issue with their eyesight.
As a parent, you must be aware of the following signs that could indicate it’s time for an eye exam:
- Frequent Squinting or Eye Rubbing
If your child is always squinting or rubbing their eyes, it could be a sign that they are struggling to see clearly. Squinting temporarily changes the shape of the eye, helping to focus light better and improve vision. This could indicate a refractive problem such as myopia or astigmatism.
- Sitting Too Close to the TV
Children with myopia or astigmatism may sit too close to the TV or hold books, tablets, or other objects unusually close to their faces. By bringing these objects closer, they are trying to compensate for blurry or unclear vision.
- Avoiding Reading or Close Work
Have you noticed your child avoiding reading, writing, or doing any other close-up tasks? Uncorrected refractive errors can make it challenging to see small print or focus on details, which leads to a loss of interest in such activities and poor performance in school.
- Poor Hand-Eye Coordination
Poor eyesight can affect your child’s hand-eye coordination and make it challenging to participate in sports activities and other tasks. If you notice your child struggling with catching a ball, completing a puzzle, or other similar tasks, despite adequate practice, it may be time to take them for an eye exam.
- Complaints About Headaches
Many children with uncorrected vision problems experience frequent headaches, especially after engaging in activities that require visual concentration, such as reading. These headaches occur due to the extra strain on their eyes and the effort required to focus.
- Head Tilting or Covering One Eye
If your child is tilting their head or covering one eye when focusing on objects, this indicates an instinctive attempt to improve clarity and focus. It may suggest a refractive problem such as myopia or a vision issue. Your optometrist can help determine the cause during a comprehensive eye test.
Customized Myopic Control Lenses in Nairobi
Whether it’s computers, phones, or tablets, children today spend more time on digital devices than ever before. This is leading to more and more children developing myopia (shortsightedness).
We Can Help Protect Your Child’s Vision with Rodenstock Myopic Control Lenses
Rodenstock MyCon lenses are precisely designed to correct myopia in children, ensuring sharp vision and counteracting the progression of this vision problem. Most importantly, they are thinner and lighter than many other myopia lenses on the market, making them more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
READ ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF MYOPIC LENSES[2]
Comprehensive Children’s Eye Exams in Nairobi
Taking your child for an eye exam may seem like a daunting task but remember, it’s essential for your child’s overall health and development. And with our highly trained optometrists, there is no need to worry. Our team is there to make the process go smoothly and, dare we say, even make it fun! Ensure your child’s vision is healthy and their potential maximised by booking a comprehensive eye test at any of our Nairobi branches. To find out more or to make an appointment, call 0797736030 or email info@eyecarekenya.com
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