Ophthalmology Clinic
Warning signs of vision problems

See also Ophthalmology home Strabismus Retinopathy of prematurity Retinoblastoma Warning signs of vision problems One adult's story Fact sheets

Detecting a child's vision problems can be easy if parents know what to look for.

Parents who see the following warning signs in their child’s eyes should consult a pediatrician, says Dr. David Coats, chief of ophthalmology at Texas Children’s Hospital:

• Eyes flutter constantly from side-to-side or up-and-down
• Eyes are sensitive to light
• Any change in the eyes from the usual appearance
• Redness in eye that does not go away in several days
• Eyes look crossed, turn out or do not focus together
• Child often squints and/or tilts his or her head to see better
• Eye muscle disorders, called strabismus, affect up to 4 percent of children and are not just a cosmetic problem.

Poor vision during childhood interferes with learning, school performance, and sports play, and leads to poor socialization and self-esteem problems. Even in young children, successful treatment may improve a patient's self-confidence and feelings of attractiveness.