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Pediatric Eye Doctor India — Signs Your Child Needs an Eye Exam

  • Writer: Dr. Nikhil Nasta
    Dr. Nikhil Nasta
  • Nov 13
  • 3 min read

A child should visit a pediatric eye doctor if they show signs such as squinting, excessive blinking, headaches, difficulty seeing the board, holding books too close, poor school performance, or eye rubbing. Early eye exams are essential to detect conditions like refractive errors, lazy eye, and squint before they cause long-term vision problems.


Children rely heavily on their vision for learning, reading, sports, and overall cognitive development. Yet many eye problems remain undetected because children rarely complain, they simply adapt.


As one of Mumbai’s leading eye centres for children, I-Sight Eye Care regularly treats conditions that could have been prevented with earlier evaluation.



🎯 12 Signs Your Child Needs a Pediatric Eye Exam


Below are the most common symptoms we see in children at our clinic — all of which require a thorough examination.


1. Squinting or Tilting the Head

Children do this to improve clarity if one eye has:

  • Myopia

  • Astigmatism

  • Amblyopia (lazy eye)

  • Uncorrected refractive error

Persistent head tilt may also indicate eye alignment issues.


2. Frequent Blinking or Eye Rubbing

Often due to:

  • Allergies

  • Dryness

  • Eye strain

  • Uncorrected vision errors

Excessive rubbing can worsen allergies and cause corneal problems like keratoconus.


3. Headaches After Reading or Screens

This is one of the most common symptoms of:

  • Uncorrected glasses number

  • Focusing problems

  • Eye muscle imbalance

If your child regularly complains of headaches, schedule an exam.


4. Sitting Too Close to Screens or the TV

A classic sign of myopia (near-sightedness) — one of the fastest-growing conditions in Indian children.


5. Poor School Performance or Difficulty Reading

If a child cannot see clearly, they may struggle with:

  • Comprehension

  • Writing

  • Concentration

  • Handwriting accuracy

Vision issues are often misinterpreted as learning difficulties.


6. Holding Books Too Close

Indicates focusing problems or uncorrected refractive errors.


7. Difficulty Seeing the Board at School

A strong indicator of:

  • Myopia

  • Astigmatism

  • Refractive changes due to growth

Many children avoid mentioning this and continue to struggle.


8. Watery, Red, or Itchy Eyes

This may be due to:

  • Allergic conjunctivitis

  • Infection

  • Digital strain

  • Environmental irritation

Children in Mumbai frequently present with allergy-related symptoms.


9. Light Sensitivity

Photophobia may indicate:

  • Corneal involvement

  • Uveitis

  • Severe allergies

  • Post-infection irritation

Should always be evaluated.


10. Misalignment of the Eyes (Squint / Strabismus)

Eye misalignment is a medical condition and does NOT get corrected on its own.

If untreated, it may cause:

  • Lazy eye

  • Depth perception problems

  • Vision development delays


11. Delayed Visual Milestones in Infants

Infants should:

  • Track objects by 3 months

  • Reach for things by 4–5 months

  • Recognise faces

Delay can indicate developmental eye conditions.


12. Complaints of Blurred Vision

Children may describe this as:

  • “I can’t see clearly”

  • “The letters are jumping”

  • “The lights look funny”

Any visual disturbance must be addressed promptly.


🧪 What a Pediatric Eye Exam Includes at I-Sight Eye Care

We follow structured, age-appropriate evaluations:

✔ Vision testing (picture-based charts for younger children)

✔ Retinoscopy for accurate glasses number

✔ Screening for squint & eye muscle issues

✔ Slit-lamp exam for cornea, lids, and allergies

✔ Dilated retina exam (safe & essential)

✔ Amblyopia assessment

✔ Binocular vision tests

✔ Child-friendly communication style


🏥 Why Parents Trust I-Sight Eye Care for Pediatric Eye Treatment

  • Pediatric-trained eye specialists

  • Accurate diagnosis using child-safe equipment

  • Experience with squint, amblyopia, and refractive errors

  • Early intervention protocols

  • Child-friendly clinic environment

  • Focus on long-term visual development


🏁 Conclusion

Your child’s vision plays a crucial role in learning and development. Early detection of eye problems prevents long-term complications, especially conditions like squint and lazy eye.

If your child shows any of the signs above, schedule an eye exam soon.


📞 CTA

Book a pediatric eye appointment at I-Sight Eye Care, Mumbai:👉 https://www.eyesurgeonmumbai.com/consult



❓ FAQs

1. Are eye exams safe for infants and toddlers?

Yes. Pediatric eye exams are gentle, safe, and tailored to age.

2. Do children really need dilation?

Yes. Dilation helps accurately detect glasses numbers and examine the retina.

3. How often should a child get an eye exam?

Every year after age 5, or earlier if symptoms are present.

 
 
 

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