Optician urges early eye checks for kids as vision issues often go undetected
Tomisin Ayodele, Dispensing Optician at Eyekon Innovation Optics Lab, states that children may have undetected vision problems including short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism, or unequal vision between eyes, emphasizing that glasses correct focus rather than indicating serious issues alone. She urges parents to prioritize early eye examinations instead of waiting for children to complain, as kids often assume their vision is normal.
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness identifies uncorrected refractive errors as the leading cause of vision impairment, correctable with spectacles in most cases, and links them to poor educational performance—long-sightedness affecting learning and short-sightedness impacting academics. Untreated vision problems can disrupt visual system development, particularly when one eye is stronger, risking neglect of the weaker eye leading to amblyopia (lazy eye). Parents should watch for squinting, close viewing of screens/books, eye rubbing, headaches, and avoidance of visually demanding activities.
Ayodele advises encouraging outdoor time, maintaining screen distance, and taking breaks to mitigate screen-related vision strain, while clarifying that screen use doesn't suddenly cause need for glasses but prolonged close-up work with little outdoors can worsen short-sightedness. She notes family history doesn't determine outcomes—a child can need glasses without familial precedent or have perfect vision despite parents wearing them. The Nigerian Optometric Association Lagos State Chapter reinforced this in 2024 by calling for mandatory preschool eye exams to support learning and growth.
Given that early detection enables proper visual development, what specific steps have you taken to monitor your child's vision health, and how do you balance screen time with outdoor activities to protect their eyesight?