Children’s eye health affects far more than just how well they can see the chalkboard. At , we provide pediatric eye exams in designed to catch vision issues before they disrupt your child’s school year.
Back-to-School Vision: Signs Your Child Needs Glasses
Why Back-to-School Is Prime Time for Eye Exams
Children rely on their vision to navigate the classroom, read assignments, and interact with their environment. But vision can change rapidly — and often without warning. Many children experience:
- Trouble focusing on printed text
- Eye fatigue from screens
- Headaches or squinting during schoolwork
- Challenges with hand-eye coordination during sports
These issues might not always point to a major concern, but they’re still worth a closer look. A comprehensive pediatric eye exam checks for refractive errors, binocular vision, eye alignment, and overall eye health — all of which can affect your child’s comfort and success in school.
In many cases, children may struggle with vision-related learning difficulties that can be mistaken for other issues, such as attention deficits or behavioral challenges. A proper diagnosis can make a world of difference.
A Closer Look at Eye Conditions That Can Affect Learning
At Livermore Optometry Group, we screen for a range of conditions during each child's eye test in Livermore, including:
Myopia
Children with myopia (nearsightedness) see well up close but struggle with distance vision — often without realizing it.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia (lazy eye) occurs when one eye doesn’t develop proper vision. It’s highly treatable if caught early, but it rarely shows symptoms without an eye exam.
Strabismus
Misaligned eyes can interfere with depth perception, reading, and attention. Children may tilt their head or cover one eye to compensate for the imbalance.
Eye Tracking and Focusing Problems
These issues affect how well a child’s eyes follow a line of text or shift between near and far focus — skills that are constantly needed in the classroom.
The Top Signs Your Child May Need Glasses
not realize something is wrong — but parents and teachers often notice changes in behavior. Here are some of the most common signs your child may need glasses:
- Excessive eye rubbing, especially during reading or screen time
- Holding books or screens very close to the face
- Tilting their head to one side to focus
- Avoiding close-up work like coloring or reading
- Complaining about frequent headaches or tired eyes
- Squinting to see things at a distance, like the board at school
- Trouble maintaining focus during school or homework
Give Your Child Clear Sight and a Confident Start in , CA
A fresh pair of glasses or a new diagnosis can change everything — from how your child engages in class to how they see themselves. If you’re checking off your back-to-school list, don’t skip this step. Your child’s vision is just as important as new shoes or sharpened pencils.
Call to schedule your child’s eye exam and set them up for success — in the classroom and beyond.
Back-to-School Vision FAQs
How often should my child have an eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends a first exam between 6–12 months, another before starting school, and annual exams after that — unless your optometrist suggests otherwise.
What if my child is nervous about the exam?
We use age-appropriate language, playful testing tools, and lots of patience to help your child feel relaxed and involved during the appointment.
Can poor vision affect school performance?
Absolutely. Blurred or misaligned vision can lead to trouble focusing, reading challenges, and even behavioral concerns. Clear sight supports strong learning.
Do you offer options for myopia control?
Yes — if your child is nearsighted, we’ll discuss appropriate treatment options, which may include MiSight® contact lenses or ortho-k.