Associated symptoms

Symptoms that occur together with vision problems are often caused by the child’s desire to compensate for the defective vision. For example, tension can be caused by keeping the head tilted or headaches can occur due to increased effort in seeing. Older children of kindergarten and elementary school age often have additional problems concentrating, dyslexia, arithmetic problems and clumsiness. These accompanying symptoms are causally related to the visual impairment. If the child suffers from cataracts, this is usually noticed as a bright spot in the dark pupil.

How can you diagnose a visual impairment in children?

Early detection of visual disorders can already take place during the U-examinations. Here the pediatrician looks for abnormalities, which are then further examined by the ophthalmologist if necessary. During the various U-examinations, certain focal points are in the foreground.

For example, the U2 exam examines abnormalities of the eyeballs, eyelids and pupils. In the other U examinations, attention is paid to whether the child is following an object and how the pupils react to light. In addition, from U3 onwards, an examination with the so-called ophthalmoscope is performed, in which the child is illuminated into the eyes from a distance and from close up.

If a refractive error becomes apparent during the examinations, further tests can be carried out by the ophthalmologist. With the help of samples, visual acuity can be measured and spatial vision and color vision can be checked. A wide range of special tests are available for the individual visual defects.

When does my child need glasses?

Visual impairment in children should be treated before the age of four. By this time the child learns to see and the brain develops the necessary areas and connections for visual acuity and spatial vision. Many children are farsighted in their first years.

This is because the eye is still too short, but in most cases this corrects itself over time. However, if the value is above +2.5 diopters, glasses are necessary. Even if the child complains of discomfort, such as headaches, glasses should be worn even if the value is lower.Constant strabismus must also be treated with glasses or masking of one eye to prevent preference for one eye and blindness of the other. Glasses are always necessary for astigmatism and myopia. Even in the case of eyes with different vision, for example a nearsighted and a normal-sighted eye, treatment with glasses should be carried out as early as possible.