Some Hidden Signs of Vision Problems in Children

a male child getting an eye exam

As a child grows, their eyes and vision can change. While parents may hope that their child would let them know if they are having trouble seeing, many kids have difficulty identifying shifts in their visual acuity as a problem, even if it’s causing them hardship. As a result, they might not know to speak up about what they’re experiencing, leading the vision problem to remain untreated.  

However, that doesn’t mean parents can’t spot vision changes in their children. If you’re wondering how, here are some hidden signs of vision problems in kids.  

Shortening Attention Span  

If it seems like your child is losing interest in activities faster than usual, that could be a sign of a vision change. When a kid is struggling to see clearly, they may choose to walk away from an activity that’s become difficult because of their vision problem.  

Skipping Up Close Activities  

In some cases, children will try to avoid activities that strain their vision. If your kid is suddenly trying to skip out on up-close activities that they once enjoyed, like reading or drawing, that could be a sign of a vision problem.  

Changing Interest or Performance in Sports  

Many sports require participants to visually track objects, including some that move at high speeds and travel great distances. If a child has a vision change, that may become increasingly difficult, causing either their interest in the sport to fall or their performance to decline.  

Losing Track of Their Place When Reading  

When a child’s vision changes, they may struggle to read. Usually, vision problems can make tracking where they are on a page harder. As they lose their place, they may repeat sections they’ve already covered or skip ahead by mistake.  

Turning Their Head When Looking at Something  

If your child starts turning their head to the side when they look at something positioned in front of them, that may be a sign of a vision change. Refractive issues like astigmatism may cause a kid to shift their head’s position in an attempt to see more clearly.  

Falling Grades or Behavioral Problems at School  

When a child is having trouble seeing, staying focused in the classroom isn’t easy. Since school work tends to rely heavily on clear vision, children with vision problems may struggle to complete their assignments, causing their grades to fall. Additionally, they might become frustrated, increasing the odds that they’ll lash out during class.  

What to Do If You Spot a Sign of a Vision Change in Your Child  

Like adults, children should get regular eye exams. By regularly seeing your eye doctor, they can identify potential issues early, increasing the odds that they’ll be treated or corrected before they become problematic.  

However, even if your child has been to their regular appointments, if you believe you’ve seen a sign of a vision problem in your child, schedule a visit with your eye doctor immediately. A child’s vision can change fast, so it’s wise to have the situation checked at the earliest sign of trouble.  

Helping Your Child See More Clearly is our Goal 

At ECVA, our staff works diligently to care for the eye health of our patients. If your child hasn’t had an eye exam recently, schedule an appointment with a Buffalo pediatric ophthalmologist at your closest ECVA clinic today. 

Broken Blood Vessel in the Eye – Is It Serious?

close up of a African American male with a blood vessel in his eye

Spotting a broken blood vessel in the white section of your eye can be scary. Often, it stands out dramatically, which alone can be concerning. Additionally, most people view bleeding as a sign of trouble, particularly if they spot it in their eye.  

While bleeding in your eye can certainly be serious, a broken blood vessel isn’t typically as bad as it appears. If you are wondering whether you should be concerned, here’s what you need to know about broken blood vessels in the eye.  

Common Causes of Broken Blood Vessels in the Eye  

A broken blood vessel in the eye is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. When a small blood vessel breaks beneath the conjunctiva, the clear outer eye surface, blood can pool. In many ways, it is similar to a bruise, though it tends to be brighter red in coloring.  

When it comes to common causes, dramatic spikes in blood pressure are a major one. This can occur when coughing or sneezing, as well as during moments of intense laughter. Vomiting can cause a blood vessel to break, too. Similarly, exercise or work that involves heavy lifting can also be responsible for a blood pressure increase that could result in a broken vessel.  

However, blood pressure changes aren’t the only potential cause. People who take blood thinners may have a vessel occasionally break. Additionally, a broken blood vessel can be caused by eye surgery or injury. At times, even vigorous rubbing of the eye may burst a vessel.  

When to Be Concerned About Broken Blood Vessels in Eyes  

Generally speaking, you only need to be concerned about a broken blood vessel in the eye under specific circumstances. First, if the subconjunctival hemorrhage is accompanied by other worrisome symptoms, such as signs of an infection, the overall situation could be an emergency.  

Broken blood vessels don’t automatically cause eye pain, discharge, or vision changes. If you have symptoms like that, you may have another condition that needs immediate assessment and, potentially, treatment.  

Additionally, if a broken blood vessel occurred after an eye injury, it’s wise to see an eye doctor. The subconjunctival hemorrhage could result from eye trauma, and the situation may worsen, depending on the nature of the injury.  

What to Do If You Have a Broken Blood Vessel in the Eye  

Generally, if you don’t have signs of an infection or injury, you can potentially wait until the broken blood vessel resolves itself. In most cases, this can take one to two weeks, as the blood has to be reabsorbed, and that process can take time.  

If you’re having other symptoms along with the broken blood vessel or the situation isn’t getting better over time, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. They can assess the subconjunctival hemorrhage, determine a cause, identify any other problems that may be occurring, and ensure prompt treatment if needed.  

See an Ophthalmologist in Buffalo NY 

At ECVA, our staff works diligently to care for the eye health of our patients. If concerned about a broken blood vessel in your eye or you simply haven’t had your eyes checked recently, schedule an appointment with your closest ECVA clinic today.