Children’s vision at school: signs parents should not ignore

A child struggling to read from the classroom board may not necessarily be having trouble concentrating. Frequent headaches, blurred vision or a sudden decline in school performance can sometimes point to an underlying visual problem.

As the school year gets underway, eye-care professionals are urging parents to pay closer attention to children’s vision, particularly as myopia becomes increasingly common and screen-based activities add to the amount of time young people spend focusing at close range.

School performance can reveal hidden vision problems

The beginning of the academic year can provide a useful opportunity to identify vision problems before they begin to interfere significantly with learning.

Optics specialist Hasnaa Trombati considers the start of the school year an appropriate moment for a visual assessment. Early screening can identify reduced visual acuity or other problems that may affect reading, attention and classroom participation.

Ophthalmologist Dr Imani Yassir likewise stresses that difficulties at school should not automatically be attributed to concentration or learning problems.

Children can experience refractive errors without being able to clearly explain what they are seeing. Because one eye or both eyes may compensate for a problem, some conditions can remain unnoticed for a considerable period.

Signs parents and teachers should watch for

Several everyday behaviours can provide clues that a child may be struggling to see clearly.

Repeatedly narrowing the eyes, moving closer to books or screens, having difficulty reading the board, reporting blurred vision or experiencing frequent headaches are among the signs that warrant attention.

Strabismus, in which the eyes do not align properly and one eye may turn inward or outward, is another reason to seek professional assessment.

Early intervention can be particularly important during childhood because some visual conditions can affect the development of normal vision if they remain untreated.

Myopia emerges as a growing concern

Myopia is one of the main issues attracting attention from eye-care professionals. The condition causes distant objects to appear blurred and has become increasingly prevalent among children in many parts of the world.

International projections have suggested that around half of the world's population could be myopic by 2050 if current trends continue.

Changes in children's lifestyles are among the factors being examined. Young people are spending less time outdoors while devoting more time to activities that require prolonged close-up vision.

Screens form part of this changing environment, but specialists caution against reducing the issue to screen exposure alone. The broader pattern of sustained near work and limited outdoor activity also deserves attention.

Screen use and visual fatigue

Extended screen use can contribute to eye strain and dryness, particularly when children remain focused on a device for long periods without taking breaks.

Specialists recommend simple adjustments to reduce discomfort. Children should take regular breaks, maintain an appropriate viewing distance and work in suitable lighting conditions.

The so-called 20-20 rule is one practical approach: after periods of close-up work, children should regularly look into the distance to give their eyes a break.

Reducing unnecessary screen time can also help create more room for outdoor activities and other forms of recreation that do not require prolonged near vision.

Why outdoor time matters

Time spent outdoors has attracted particular interest in discussions about myopia prevention.

Hasnaa Trombati encourages families to make outdoor activity part of children's daily routines, with natural daylight offering an important element of a more balanced visual environment.

Encouraging children to spend at least an hour outside each day can also help reduce the amount of uninterrupted time devoted to close-up activities.

The issue extends beyond temporary blurred vision. High levels of myopia can be associated with an increased risk of certain eye complications later in life, including retinal problems, glaucoma and cataracts.

Early screening can make a difference

Eye examinations during childhood can identify problems before they become obvious to parents, teachers or the children themselves.

Dr Imani Yassir recommends an initial visual assessment before a child starts school, even when there are no apparent complaints. Follow-up examinations can then be adapted to the child's age, diagnosis and rate of progression.

Early assessment is also important for detecting amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye”. When one eye develops weaker vision than the other and the condition is not treated during the appropriate developmental period, the resulting reduction in vision can become permanent.

Children whose myopia is progressing rapidly may require closer monitoring and, when clinically appropriate, specific approaches designed to slow its progression.

Building healthier visual habits

Medical follow-up is only one part of protecting children's eyesight. Daily habits can also contribute to long-term eye health.

Parents can encourage regular breaks during screen use, reduce unnecessary screen exposure, maintain an appropriate reading distance and ensure that children have adequate lighting when doing homework.

The broader objective is not simply to provide glasses when a child begins to see poorly. It is to identify visual problems early, monitor changes over time and create habits that support healthy eye development.

For families, the message is straightforward: children's vision deserves the same attention as other aspects of school health. A child who sees comfortably is better placed to engage with the classroom, while regular professional checks can help ensure that emerging problems are identified before they have a lasting impact.