Does Your Child Have an Eye Condition?

As a parent, it's part of your job to ensure that your child is healthy in every way possible, and that includes their eye health. A child’s eyes are constantly in use, teaching them about the world around them through reading, writing, and more.

Common Eye Problems in Children and When to Seek Help

At home, it can be difficult to recognise eye problems in children since they may not always express their concerns. That’s why it’s important to be vigilant and know what signs to look for so you can take the necessary steps to protect your child's vision. Here are some common eye problems in children and when to seek help.

Crossed or turned eyes

Eyes that are not aligned could be a sign of a problem called Strabismus. This condition can cause vision problems, and early intervention is essential. Seek help from an Eye Care Professional as soon as you can.

Squinting

If your child is squinting or complaining of blurry vision, they may have nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). An eye test can determine if your child needs vision correction.

Watery or red eyes

Children who persistently have watery or red eyes may be suffering from allergies, infection, or inflammation. It's important to see an Eye Care Professional if this occurs.

Poor school performance

If your child is struggling in school, it may be due to an undiagnosed vision problem. A comprehensive eye test can determine if your child needs glasses or other treatment.

How often should your child see an Eye Care Professional?

Even if your child isn't showing signs of vision problems now, it's a good idea to schedule regular comprehensive eye tests as their eyes grow and develop. This can help you catch and manage things like childhood myopia, or any eye health issues that can develop as the eyes grow. Here's the NHS recommended schedule:

Within 72 hours of birth: Your child's eyes will be checked for any obvious physical problems as part of the newborn physical examination.
Between 6 and 8 weeks old: This is a follow-up physical examination to check for any obvious problems that were not picked up soon after birth.
Around 1 year, or between 2 and 2-and-a-half years: You may be asked if you have any concerns about your child's eyesight as part of your child's health and development reviews. Eye tests can be arranged if necessary.
Around 4 or 5 years old: Your child's eyes may be examined soon after they start school. This is called vision screening, and it checks for reduced vision in one or both eyes. The aim is to detect any problems early so that treatment can be initiated. Vision screening is usually carried out in your child's school, however, this does not happen in all areas. If your child's vision is not checked at school, take them to your local opticians for an eye test.
Age 6 until adulthood: An annual comprehensive eye test.

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About the author

Giovanna E. Olivares, OD, FAAO is the Global Director, Specialty Platforms Research & Development, at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (JJVC). In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the strategy, design, and development of new products to support the company’s global Astigmatism and Presbyopia platforms.

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Footnotes

Consult your Eye Care Professional for more information. Johnson & Johnson does not provide medical advice; this information is for educational purposes only.

Important Information for Contact Lens Wearers ACUVUE^® Contact Lenses can be used for vision correction. An Eye Care Professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and instructions on proper lens care. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, any eye disease or systemic disease that may affect the eye, or if you are allergic to any ingredients. If you experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems, remove the lens and contact your Eye Care Professional immediately. For detailed information on proper wear, care, warnings and precautions, talk to your Eye Care Professional and carefully read the Instructions for Use available on the Johnson & Johnson website https://www.e-ifu.com/

Important Information for Contact Lens Wearers: ACUVUE^® Abilit^® 1-Day Soft Therapeutic Lenses for Myopia Management can be used for the correction of myopia (while the lenses are worn) and may slow the progression of myopia in children (7-12 years old). An Eye Care Professional will determine whether these contact lenses are right for you (your child). Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these symptoms, follow the wear and replacement schedule provided by your Eye Care Professional. Do not wear these contact lenses if you (your child) have an eye infection, any eye disease or systemic disease, that may affect the eye, or if you are allergic to any ingredients. If you (your child) experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems, remove the lens and contact your Eye Care Professional immediately. Due to the optical design of these lenses, under certain circumstances, some patients may experience visual symptoms. These lenses will provide vision correction while worn, but the vision quality may not be as clear as with conventional soft contact lenses. For detailed information on proper wear, care, warnings and precautions, talk to your Eye Care Professional and carefully read the Instructions for Use available on www.e-IFU.com

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