Children’s eyes grow and change rapidly. A problem that isn’t obvious at first, like mild nearsightedness, can still impact learning, sports performance, and overall comfort. At Midwest Eye Associates (serving St. Charles, St. Peters, Creve Coeur, and Wentzville), we believe early and regular eye exams help catch issues before they affect your child’s schoolwork, confidence, or long‑term vision health.
Even if your child doesn’t complain, passing a vision screening at school doesn’t guarantee perfect visual function. That’s where comprehensive pediatric eye care becomes essential.
Common Vision Issues Children Face
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
A growing number of children develop nearsightedness - especially with increased screen time and less outdoor play. As myopia progresses, it can make distance vision blurry and may contribute to eye strain, headaches, or squinting. Left unchecked, higher myopia can raise long-term risks for retinal problems. That’s why our myopia management program is valuable.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness) and Accommodative Effort
Some children may have mild-to-moderate farsightedness. They can often “see fine,” but their eyes must work harder to focus, especially for reading or screen work. That extra effort can lead to fatigue, headaches, or avoidance of close-up tasks.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism, when the eye’s shape distorts vision, can blur vision at all distances. For kids, uncorrected astigmatism may interfere with reading, sports, or classroom focus.
Eye Alignment Issues and Binocular Vision Problems
Misaligned eyes (strabismus), lazy eye (amblyopia), or difficulties coordinating both eyes together can affect depth perception, reading comfort, and motor skills. Sometimes these problems interfere with performance in school or sports. Our clinic offers advanced solutions like prism lenses (e.g. Neurolens) to relieve strain and correct alignment issues.
Learning-Related Visual Stress
Even when vision is “20/20,” some children experience visual discomfort — often due to poor focusing, tracking problems, or eye‑body coordination. This can cause fatigue, headaches, or trouble concentrating during prolonged reading or homework.
Signs Your Child Might Need a Pediatric Eye Exam
Parents should consider an eye exam if your child shows any of the following:
- Squinting or rubbing eyes often
- Complaints of headaches, especially after reading or screen time
- Difficulty concentrating or losing place while reading
- Closing one eye or tilting the head to see better
- Avoiding near work (reading, drawing, homework) or near tasks making them uncomfortable
- Poor performance in school or sports, especially tasks involving hand‑eye coordination
Even if none of these appear, regular annual exams remain important.
What Makes Midwest Eye Associates Well‑Suited for Kids’ Eye Care
- Family‑friendly and comprehensive care: We serve patients from infancy through adulthood, making it easy for siblings and parents to receive coordinated care.
- Full pediatric eye exams: Our eye doctors thoroughly evaluate vision, eye alignment, eye health, focusing and tracking, not just visual acuity on a chart.
- Myopia management and early intervention: For children showing signs of progressive nearsightedness, we offer programs to slow progression and reduce future risks.
- Binocular vision treatment and alignment correction: For misalignment or lazy eye, we provide options such as prism lenses and vision therapy.
- Customized eyewear and contact lens fitting ensuring every child receives appropriate, comfortable vision correction.
FAQ: Parents’ Common Questions About Children’s Vision
Is a school vision screening enough?
No. While school screenings check basic acuity, they don’t assess eye coordination, focusing, or binocular vision, all critical for reading, learning, and sports.
How often should children have their eyes examined?
Even without symptoms, a comprehensive exam every 1–2 years is recommended. Children’s eyes change rapidly, and early detection ensures better outcomes.
Can my child get contacts or need glasses even if they don’t complain?
Yes. Many children adapt to poor vision without complaint. Glasses or contacts can relieve hidden strain, improve comfort, and support school performance.
What if my child’s myopia is getting worse?
That’s a good time to ask about our myopia management program. Slowing progression can protect long‑term eye health and reduce future vision-related risks.
Helping Children See Their Best — A Parent’s Action Plan
- Schedule a comprehensive pediatric eye exam for your child (especially before a new school year or if you notice any signs above).
- Monitor screen time, encourage breaks and outdoor play to support healthy eye development.
- Ensure children wear recommended glasses or contacts full-time for consistent vision correction and comfort.
- Follow up on any prescriptions or treatments for myopia, astigmatism, or alignment issues promptly.
- Choose child‑appropriate frames or contact lenses and schedule follow-up visits as advised.
If you’re in St. Charles, St. Peters, Creve Coeur, or Wentzville, and want to ensure your child’s vision supports their learning, growth, and daily fun - book a pediatric eye exam with us. Let Midwest Eye Associates help your child see clearly, learn confidently, and enjoy childhood to the fullest.