Health

Vision

Good vision is essential for a child to reach their full potential. Vision problems can severely impact on a child’s educational, physical and social development. Protecting a child’s vision includes being aware of the symptoms that indicate an immediate problem as well as putting in place preventative measures. Through regular eye examinations and protecting a child’s eyes from harmful UV rays you are helping to prevent diseases that if undetected can lead to vision impairment.

Any one of the following may indicate a child is experiencing a vision problem or irritation.

Appearance of the eyes:

• One eye turns in or out while the other points straight ahead
• Eyes blink frequently
• Eyes frequently red
• Eyes water
• Eyes very sensitive to light
• Eyes screwed up while the child is watching television

Behavioural signs:

• Holds a book very close to read it                                    
• Loses place while reading
• Cannot concentrate for any length of time
• Positions head strangely when reading
• Rubs eyes frequently
• Sits very close to the television
• Writes crookedly with poor spacing
• Leaves out or confuses words when reading
• Tilts head noticeably when looking at things
• Covers or closes on eye when reading
• Does not recognise familiar people in the distance
• Complains of headaches
• Complains of blurred vision
• Complains of seeing double images
• Complains of eyes burning or itching

If a Primary school parent or teacher has a concern about a child’s vision or eyes, the Community Health Nurse will do referral vision checks as required. Please contact Health Centre or consult your Doctor.

Jenny Hill

College Nurse