Parent’s Checklist of Visual Problems

Take our Vision Quiz to learn whether you should explore Vision Therapy

Being a parent is hard work, no doubt about it. It’s rewarding to be clear, but the list of skills required to effectively take care of children is rather lengthy! Moms, dads, and guardians alike are responsible for a child’s emotional well-being, physical needs, school performance, social skills, and so much more. Mercifully, those tasked with caring for young children are not expected to know what to do in every situation. And that’s what makes checklists and “what to look for” brochures so very helpful when engaging in the care and keeping of the youngsters who rely on us.

When You Suspect that Your Child has a Vision Problem

25 out of 100 children, which is the equivalent of roughly six children in every classroom, struggle with some sort of visual deficit or dysfunction. These problems may be obvious in some kids, but more subtle in others. The child who stumbles into walls makes it pretty obvious that they should get their eyes examined. But what about the child who has a tendency to “space out” in class, or the teen who writes on a slant and calls it “art?” How is a parent to know that the child who loses things is not irresponsible, but suffering from a problem that can and should be addressed?

Visual Problem Checklist

Speak to Your Child

If you notice that your child is struggling in school, complaining of frequent headaches or other problems, sit down and ask them if they are aware of the frequency with which they complain of the symptoms below and if they’re seeing the same things you are.

Younger children will often times expect that the way they see the world is how everyone sees it, having a checklist can help guide the conversation with a younger child.

Ask Them When They Experience These Symptoms

When speaking with your child, ask them if there seems to be an identifiable rhyme or reason to what’s happening. Do they get headaches in school and gym, or one or the other? Do they write on a slant for fun or because it’s easier to see and read that way? Do they close one of their eyes only when reading or doing near work?

Share the Checklist With Them

Review your checklist with them and let them know that you’ll be taking notes from time to time. This will allay any fears of being “shadowed,” and drive home not only why it’s important for you to understand what’s happening, but help you get them the help they need.

Ask Their Teacher(s) for Input

If you’ve noticed that your child keeps “forgetting” their assignments in school, announces that they simply “can’t” do their work even before trying to, or seems to have distanced themselves from all things academic, there’s a good chance their teachers are seeing the same or similar behaviors. The more you know, the better you can help them.

The following symptoms are often associated with visual impairments.
Does your child report or display:

Motion sickness or vertigo
Difficulties establishing and maintaining attention and focus
Eye strain, neck pain, or headaches
Difficulty concentrating on tasks at hand
Double or blurry vision
Dizziness or poor balance

The Checklist

Answers to the following questions can go a long way in understanding how your child sees, understands, and processes the world around them. And because the ability to function well at home and school is a precursor to future successes in any environment, this checklist can help pinpoint what’s really going on.

The following behaviors are frequently associated with vision problems.
Have you noticed if your child:

Frequently tilts their head to either side or consistently has one shoulder raised higher than the other
Often bumps into things or has “butterfingers”
Blinks or squints excessively
Reads with one eye closed or nearly closed
Repositions their head while reading, playing, or participating in athletics
Has one eye that moves differently or out of sync with the other
Finds it difficult to gauge distance between objects when walking through any space
Demonstrates poor hand-eye coordination
Often misplaces or loses things

The following reading tasks frequently indicate problems with overall vision and nearsightedness.
Does your child seem to:

Rub their eyes after reading or working with something up close
Tilt their head or lean in when reading or writing
Get tired easily
Use a pointer or finger to keep their place
Holds material too close to their eyes
Close one eye or squint
Read below grade level
Read the same line over and over in order to understand it
Avoid doing projects or homework
Frequently lose the place when reading
Bump into things and break them
Feel as though the words are moving or dancing across the page

What to do With a Completed Checklist

Once you have assessed your child’s vision to the best of your ability, it is crucial that you schedule a functional eye exam with your optometrist. Let our developmental optometrist review your checklist so they can compare what they see during the eye exam with what you’ve been seeing at home. Sharing this information with our eye doctor not only helps your child get the most comprehensive exam possible, but lets them know that you care and are invested in their visual health and self-esteem.

Being Part of the Parent- Doctor Team

It can be really difficult for a child who has learned to compensate for poor vision with tricks and humor to admit that they’re really suffering. Letting your child know that you believe them and want them to succeed can go a long way in making your job as their parent even more rewarding, for many years to come.

Learn More

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Exotropia is a type of strabismus where one eye turns outward. If you suspect that you may have exotropia, please see our optometrist for a treatment plan.

Understanding Accommodative Insufficiency: What It Is, Symptoms and Impact on Learning and Work

Accommodative insufficiency causes eyestrain and headaches when focusing on nearby objects. Visit our eye doctor for proper treatment.

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Testimonials

I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.

Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.

Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.