Does your child need eyeglasses?

Children rely on all of their senses, especially their eyesight, to experience new things and learn about the world. That is why it’s important for your pediatrician to include an eye exam as part of your child’s annual physical.

“Kids usually don’t say they can’t see, because they do not know any different,” says Oscar Cruz, M.D., chairman of ophthalmology at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. “But if you and your spouse both wore glasses as a child, chances are about 90 percent your children will need glasses as well.”

Problems with eyesight are usually genetic, and only about 5 percent to 10 percent of all children need glasses.

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor:

• Trouble keeping eye contact by 3 months of age
• Crossed eyes or one eye that turns out
• Trouble following an object with her or his eyes by 3 months of age
• Apparent inability to see
• Squinting or closing one eye a lot
• Getting close to a book when reading
• Having trouble seeing the chalkboard at school
• Rubbing eyes a lot
• Headaches