Your Baby Has a Lazy Eye? What to Know

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A lazy eye can cause a variety of vision problems. Fortunately, early treatment from your child’s eye doctor in Haslet TX can help. If your child has a lazy eye, it’s important to get an examination and treatment as soon as possible. Here’s what you need to know.

What is a lazy eye?

Lazy eye, more formally called strabismus, is a condition that occurs when one eye has weak visual development. Lazy eyes are easy to identify because they usually wander in various directions. It’s common for babies to have a wandering eye when they’re first born, but this usually clears up by the time they reach 4 to 6 months of age. Babies who continue to have a wandering eye past this age likely have strabismus.

Some babies only look like they have a lazy eye.

Some babies have extra folds around the eyes. This combined with a wide nose can give your baby the appearance of having a lazy eye, when it really isn’t. The eye doctor will be able to tell you if your baby’s eyes aren’t properly aligned.

What causes a lazy eye?

There are many things that can cause a lazy eye, including an imbalance in the muscles that position the eyes, and a significant difference in the prescriptions of each eye. Either way, if your baby has strabismus, it should be addressed while your child is very young, to prevent permanent damage.

Your baby has a lazy eye? Contact your eye doctor

At Joy Family Eye Care, we provide pediatric eye care in Haslet, TX. We can help with your baby’s lazy eye and other problems. Call today to make an appointment.

Recognizing the Signs of Poor Eyesight in Children  

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When it comes to protecting your family’s eyesight, being proactive always works best. It’s essential to bring your children in for regular eye exams, just as it is for you. But in between eye exams with your eye doctor in Haslet, TX, parents should be on the lookout for signs of poor eyesight in children, particularly in kids who may be too young to realize the problem themselves.

Delayed Cognitive Development

Is your youngster struggling to learn their ABCs or their numbers? If your pediatrician has ruled out any medical reason, it’s possible that your child simply has less than ideal eyesight. The numbers and letters may be blurred, making it near impossible for your child to learn them.

Squinting

Pay attention to how your child looks at their tablet, television, books, and things in the distance. If you notice that they squint, even when there’s no sunlight, they may actually be struggling to focus.

Tilting Head to One Side

Head tilting is a very common sign that one eye is dominant over the other. This symptom may indicate lazy eye or another vision problem.

Excessive Headaches

Headaches should be rare in children. If your child seems to have more than their fair share, it’s possible that eye strain is behind the problem.

Acting Out

Children who can’t see well often feel frustrated or agitated. If your child is having behavioral issues in school or at home, it may be because they are having trouble seeing the chalkboard or reading up close homework assignments.

Not Following Instructions

Sometimes children with bad eyesight will have trouble following simple instructions, such as putting their lunchbox in the cubby at school or pulling out certain school supplies, all because they simply can’t see well.

If you notice any of these signs of poor eyesight, please bring your child in for a pediatric eye exam in Haslet, TX, as soon as possible. The sooner your child’s vision problems are solved, the sooner they can get back on track.

 

3 Tricks for Getting Your Child Through an Eye Exam

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Taking your child to any kind of doctor can be a difficult experience for all involved. Sometimes, the fighting at their end may even be enough for you to skip appointments altogether. Before you resort to that, we’ll look at how you can make it more pleasant, even if they need to sit still for longer than they’d like.

1. Make It a Game

Your child may not want to cooperate with the doctor, but they might feel differently if there was a challenge involved. Tell them that while they’re in the chair, they’re a statue. It’s only when you call a timeout that they can take a break. The right pediatric eye doctor in Haslet, TX will be happy to play along

2. Try Role Playing Beforehand

Sometimes an exam is tough for kids by virtue of the fact that they have no idea what to expect. If you role play beforehand, they’ll at least know what’s on deck. Use a spoon to have them cover up an eye and maybe use their favorite books or toys to make it a little more fun.

3. Choose an Experienced Family Optometrist

If you’re looking for an eye exam in Haslet, TX for your child, picking the right optometrist can make all the difference. At Joy Family Eye Care, our staff is here to smooth out any fears or frustrations for even the most rambunctious of kids.

Pediatric eye care might not seem very important to your little one, but this is a great way to catch any issues long before they have the chance to blossom into anything larger. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions about how preventative care can help your whole family.

Should I Take My Little One to See the Eye Doctor? How to Know When

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Babies need to see the eye doctor, just like other people! If you’re a new parent with a little one at home, it’s important to ensure that your child is getting the eye services they need to maintain good vision and healthy eyes. Knowing when to bring your child to see the eye doctor in Haslet, TX is important!

First Appointment Before One Year of Age

Your child’s first eye appointment should happen before they turn one year old. Pediatric eye appointments with babies are relatively short and sweet. Your child’s eye doctor will look for evidence of eye diseases, will check to ensure that your child’s eyes can be focused, and will check to ensure that the eyes are straight.

This doesn’t take very long. When it’s over, your child’s eye doctor will either make recommendations for next steps, or give your child’s eyes a clean bill of health!

Come In for Appointments Every Year Before School Starts

Once your child has come in for their initial pediatric eye appointment in Haslet, TX, it’s important to take your child back to the eye doctor every year before they start school. Your child will need proper vision to succeed in school, so this is very important. Make the back to school eye appointment a regular habit!

Watch for Symptoms, Bring In As Needed

As your child ages, you may start to notice symptoms that they’re having a problem. Do they sit too close to the television? Do they squint at objects that are far away? Do they complain about headaches? These are all signs that your child is having trouble. If your child is having a problem, make an appointment with Joy Family Eye Care.