Worried About Your Child's Vision? 5 Signs It's Time for an Eye Exam

Your child’s vision is about more than just seeing clearly; it impacts learning, coordination, behavior, and confidence. That’s why scheduling regular eye care is so important.

Dr. Donna Cooper, Dr. Sarah Chung, and the team at Cooper Optometry in Santa Monica, California, are here to support your family with this crucial component of health and wellness.

Why pediatric eye exams are crucial

Many vision problems don’t show obvious signs, especially in younger children who may not yet realize what normal vision should be.

A pediatric eye exam goes beyond a basic vision screening to evaluate how your child’s eyes focus, align, track, and work together. Each is critical for reading, learning, and navigating everyday life.

You might think your child sees fine, but subtle issues can still affect performance in school and play. That’s why catching problems early makes all the difference in treatment outcomes. 

Here are five things to watch out for:

1. Difficulty reading

If your child:

• Says words are blurry
• Complains that words flow into one another
• Loses their place while reading
• Says that reading makes their eyes hurt

It could be more than just frustration. These issues often point back to tracking and focusing problems that show up during your child’s comprehensive pediatric eye exam.

2. Eye rubbing

Eye rubbing can indicate that your child’s eyes are working overtime to focus or compensate. You might notice that they squint in bright light, constantly rub their eyes after reading, or tilt their head to see better. These habits are worth mentioning at your child’s eye exam.

3. Trouble with hand-eye coordination

Vision plays a significant role in motor skills and physical confidence during activities like:

• Catching and hitting a ball
• Climbing and swinging on playground equipment
• Climbing stairs without tripping

Difficulty with these tasks might be a sign that your child’s visual processing doesn’t fully support their movements.

4. An eye that turns in or out

If one of your child’s eyes drifts inward or outward, it may signal a condition called strabismus. This misalignment can interfere with depth perception and visual development, especially if left untreated.

Children may not realize anything is wrong, but an eye exam can detect alignment issues early, when treatment is most effective.

5. Academic struggles

The American Optometric Association reports that 25% of children have a vision problem that impacts their academic outcomes. If your child struggles in the classroom, it may not be a learning problem.

What to expect at your child’s pediatric eye exam

At a pediatric eye visit, Drs. Cooper and Chung use age-appropriate tools and techniques to assess your child’s visual clarity and eye health. 

For younger kids, tests might involve engaging activities or toys. For older children, traditional vision measures help determine whether glasses, vision therapy, or other care is needed.

You’re your child’s best advocate. If any of these signs sound familiar, don’t take a wait-and-see approach. Early detection often means easier, more effective care.

Call today to schedule an appointment for a pediatric eye exam, or request one online.