What Are the Early Signs of Vision Problems in Children?

Boy sitting at his desk with a glasses infront of him after learning about early signs for vision problems in kids

At Mountain Brook Eye Care, we know how essential clear vision is to a child’s development. From the classroom to the playground, eyesight impacts everything a child does. But children can’t always tell you when something is wrong. That’s why understanding the early signs of pediatric vision problems is so important for parents, teachers, and caregivers in our community.

Dr. Jeremy Edgerly and our team specialize in identifying even the most subtle signs of pediatric vision issues. With advanced diagnostic tools, a warm approach to care, and years of experience treating children, we’re here to help your child see clearly and confidently.

This Article Will Address:

What the early signs of vision problems are in children
Specific vision concerns relevant to families in Mountain Brook, AL
When your child might need glasses
How early and how often kids should have their eyes checked
The most common childhood eye conditions
When to seek care, even without obvious symptoms
Why some eye issues are hard to detect

Spotting Vision Problems Early in Children

Not all vision issues in children are easy to see. Some are obvious, while others show up in behavior or school performance. That’s why early detection matters. Dr. Edgerly’s pediatric training and family care experience help us identify problems quickly and gently, often before they interfere with a child’s development.

Here are some common early signs to watch for:

Appearance

Eyes that don’t line up (crossed or outward-facing)
White or gray appearance in the pupil
Redness, discharge, or excessive tearing

Behavior

Covering one eye or tilting the head to see
Squinting or excessive blinking
Holding books or screens very close to the face
Losing their place when reading

What Your Child May Say

“My head hurts” or “my eyes feel tired”
“I can’t see the board at school”
“Things look blurry or doubled”

Any of these symptoms could indicate a vision problem—and the earlier we catch them, the easier they are to treat.

What Are the Early Signs of Vision Problems in Children in Mountain Brook, AL?

Children in the Mountain Brook area often face school and screen-time demands that make vision issues harder to notice. If your child is struggling with reading, losing focus in class, or avoiding homework, vision could be a hidden factor.

While school screenings help, they don’t catch everything. Subtle vision issues—especially those affecting depth perception, focus, or eye teaming—often go undetected.

That’s why comprehensive pediatric eye exams at Mountain Brook Eye Care are so important. We serve families throughout Mountain Brook, AL with the latest diagnostic tools and personalized care, designed to make children feel safe and understood.

How Do I Know if My Child Needs Glasses in Mountain Brook?

It’s a common question—and an important one. Glasses can significantly improve not just a child’s sight, but also their confidence and success in school.

Signs your child might need glasses:

Squinting frequently
Sitting too close to the television or digital screens
Struggling with reading or homework
Avoiding close-up tasks like drawing or coloring
Complaining about headaches or tired eyes

Only a full eye exam can determine whether your child needs corrective lenses. At Mountain Brook Eye Care, we offer gentle, pediatric-friendly exams that make it easy to get clear answers.

What Age Should a Child Have Their First Eye Exam in Mountain Brook, AL?

We recommend following the American Optometric Association’s guidelines for pediatric vision care:

First eye exam by age 1
Another comprehensive exam around age 3
A third before starting school, around age 5
Annual eye exams thereafter, unless more frequent care is advised

Routine eye exams give us the best chance to detect and treat issues before they interfere with learning or development. Dr. Edgerly uses advanced tools like Optos Monaco imaging to screen the entire eye safely, without discomfort.

What Vision Problems Are Common in Children in Mountain Brook?

At our practice, we most often diagnose and manage the following pediatric eye conditions:

Amblyopia (lazy eye): Reduced vision in one eye due to poor connection with the brain
Strabismus: Misaligned eyes that can cause double vision or poor depth perception
Myopia (nearsightedness): Blurred distance vision, becoming more common due to increased screen time
Astigmatism: Blurred vision at all distances due to an irregularly shaped cornea
Convergence insufficiency: Trouble with near tasks like reading, due to poor eye coordination

Environmental factors such as screen exposure, reduced outdoor time, and academic pressure in Mountain Brook can contribute to these issues. We help children and parents manage them with clarity and confidence.

When Should You Seek a Pediatric Eye Exam?

You don’t need to wait for obvious symptoms. Vision problems can show up subtly and gradually.

Schedule an exam if:

Your child fails a school vision screening
They complain of headaches, blurry vision, or trouble seeing
You notice changes in behavior or school performance
There’s a family history of vision problems
It’s been more than a year since their last checkup

Need a helpful checklist to track symptoms? We offer a downloadable guide modeled after the Prevent Blindness screening tool.

We also encourage parents to review trusted external resources like the American Academy of Pediatrics for further learning.

Why Are Some Vision Problems Hard to Spot?

Kids don’t always realize they have a vision problem—especially if the issue has been there since birth. To them, blurry or doubled vision may feel normal.

Parents and teachers may mistake vision problems for:

Attention issues
Learning difficulties
Behavioral concerns

That’s why a pediatric eye exam is so valuable. Dr. Edgerly’s calm, focused approach helps uncover these hidden problems and develop a treatment plan that fits your child’s needs.

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam in Mountain Brook Today!

Early detection makes all the difference when it comes to pediatric eye health. Whether you’re noticing subtle signs or just want peace of mind, Mountain Brook Eye Care is here to help.

Dr. Jeremy Edgerly brings years of experience in pediatric vision care, a welcoming family-friendly environment, and the latest in diagnostic technology.

Call today to schedule an appointment at Mountain Brook Eye Care in Mountain Brook, AL. Let’s make sure your child sees the world as clearly and confidently as possible.

Sources:

Dr. Jeremy Edgerly

Dr. Edgerly has been actively practicing optometry since 2012 in a family practice setting. He is confident in his ability to accurately diagnose, treat and manage conditions of the eye and local structures. He attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham and earned a Bachelor of Science. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, he enrolled in the UAB School of Optometry, where he earned a Doctorate in Optometry. There, he received specialized training in ocular diseases, contact lenses, pediatrics, and refractive and cataract surgery co-management.