Children rely heavily on their vision for learning and development. This is why keeping their eyes in good health should be a priority for every parent. If your child complains of eye pain, it’s important to identify the cause of the problem as soon as possible, ideally by consulting with an optometrist.
Today, Nova Vision Center explains what might be causing your child’s eye pain.Pain in the Front Part of Their Eyes
When a foreign body, such as grit, dirt or dust gets stuck inside your child’s eyes, they may complain of pain at the surface of their eyes. This is more evident when they try to blink. If the foreign body is not removed, this may also lead to scratches on your child’s cornea, which can eventually lead to infection.
Another common cause of pain in the anterior part of the eye is dry eyes. Your optometrist may prescribe applying artificial tears to moisturize your child’s eyes and improve their comfort. People who wear contact lenses are at an increased risk of dry eyes.
Pain Behind Their Eyes
If your child is complaining of pain behind their eyes, this most likely be caused by clogged sinuses or a migraine. In the case of clogged sinuses, your child may feel pain in both eyes, but this pain is often more manageable than the eye pain caused by a migraine. With migraines, the pain usually involves one eye only and another part of the same side of the head. For example, if your child is experiencing right eye pain, it’s also likely that they are feeling pain at the right side of the back part of their head.
Pain Around the Eyes
Too much screen time can cause pain in the area around the eyes, a problem called digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. It’s a good idea to set limits on screen time so your child’s eyes can rest. Your eye doctor may also recommend computer eyeglasses.
The best thing you can do to keep your children’s eyes pain- and problem-free is to schedule them for regular eye exams. Call us today at (703) 291-0080 or complete our form to request an appointment. We serve Alexandria, Arlington and the surrounding VA communities.