Doctors warn: children's poor eyesight may hide behind declining academic performance

Specialists warn that vision disorders in children may remain undetected for long periods, leading to declining academic performance, difficulty concentrating, and headaches. Signs include approaching screens and squinting. Experts emphasize the importance of regular eye exams even in the absence of symptoms, for early detection of strabismus, amblyopia, and myopia.

Specialists warn that vision disorders in children may remain undetected for long periods because the child does not necessarily realize their vision is abnormal, leading to indirect manifestations such as declining academic performance, difficulty concentrating and reading, fatigue, and headaches. Signs that warrant an eye exam include approaching the TV or blackboard, holding a book close to the face, squinting, losing focus while reading, or frequent complaints of headaches. In younger children, signs include lack of gaze fixation, not following faces, deviation of one eye, or a white reflection in the pupil. Experts emphasize the importance of regular eye exams even in the absence of symptoms, as the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends at least one exam for children between ages 3 and 5 to detect strabismus and associated risk factors. Myopia is the most common refractive disorder, involving both genetic and environmental factors such as prolonged near work, reduced time outdoors, and intensive screen use. A large analytical study published in 2025 indicated an association between increased digital device use and higher likelihood of myopia, while noting that association alone does not prove direct causation.