Your child may be enjoying the holiday, watching cartoons, playing games, reading, or spending time on a phone or tablet.
But while they’re still at home, there is something important parents shouldn’t overlook:
When was the last time your child’s eyes were checked?
Many parents wait until a child complains about blurry vision before considering an eye examination.
The problem is that children don’t always know that their vision is not normal.
They may think everyone sees the same way they do.
That’s why a routine eye examination can be important—even when your child appears to see perfectly well.
Your Child May Not Tell You They Can’t See Clearly
Imagine your child sitting in class and struggling to see what the teacher has written on the board.
Instead of saying, “Mummy, I can’t see clearly,” they may simply move closer, squint or copy from another child’s book.
Some children may also experience headaches, eye strain or difficulty concentrating.
Parents may mistake these signs for tiredness, lack of interest or poor attention.
A professional eye examination can help determine whether a vision problem is contributing to these difficulties.
What About All That Screen Time?
Let’s be honest.
Holiday periods can mean more time on phones, tablets, computers and television.
Children may spend hours watching videos, playing games or chatting with friends.
This doesn’t mean parents have to completely ban screens.
Instead, encourage healthy habits.
Give your child’s eyes regular breaks during prolonged near activities, encourage outdoor play and make sure they have adequate lighting when reading or doing close-up work.
Most importantly, pay attention to any changes in how your child uses their eyes.
Watch Out for These Signs
Your child may benefit from an eye examination if you notice that they:
- Squint frequently
- Sit very close to the television
- Hold books or devices unusually close
- Frequently complain of headaches
- Rub their eyes often
- Struggle to see things from a distance
- Cover or close one eye when looking at something
- Have difficulty reading the board at school
- Complain that their eyes hurt or feel tired
- Have difficulty with schoolwork or concentrating on visual tasks
These signs don’t automatically mean your child has an eye disease or needs glasses.
But they are worth discussing with an eye-care professional.
What Can an Eye Examination Detect?
A child’s eye examination is about more than finding out whether they need glasses.
Depending on the examination, an eye-care professional can assess the child’s vision and look for signs of eye or vision problems that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Conditions such as myopia (short-sightedness) can develop during childhood and may change as the child grows.
Finding a problem early gives parents the opportunity to understand what is happening and discuss appropriate management with an eye-care professional.
Let Them Enjoy the Outdoors Too
Holiday time is also a great opportunity to encourage children to spend more time outdoors.
Outdoor activities provide a welcome break from prolonged near tasks such as reading, gaming and using digital devices.
So let them play football, ride a bicycle, visit the park, walk with the family or simply enjoy some time outside.
Their eyes deserve a break too.
Why Check Their Eyes While They’re Still at Home?
Once school resumes, life becomes busy again.
Homework, lessons, extracurricular activities and family schedules can make it harder to find a convenient time for an eye examination.
While your child is still at home, why not make eye health part of the holiday checklist?
New clothes? ✔️
New shoes? ✔️
School supplies? ✔️
Eye examination? Don’t forget it. ✔️
If you’re in Lagos, Enny Eye Care can help you assess your child’s vision and understand their eye-care needs.
Whether your child wears glasses already or has never had an eye examination, professional assessment can provide valuable insight into their visual health.
Don’t wait for your child to complain before checking their eyes.
A child who sees clearly has a better opportunity to learn, play, read and confidently explore the world around them.
While they’re still at home, make time for their eyes.
Enny Eye Care — Ikeja & Ikoyi, Lagos
Kids are still at home. Their eyes are growing too.
Book your child’s eye examination with Enny Eye Care before school resumes.