My child always has a headache when he comes home from school, does it have anything to do with vision?

According to Saskia, an orthoptist student at the Jules-Gonin Ophthalmic Hospital, children’s vision constantly has high demands placed upon it. At school, but also at home in front of digital media such as phones or tablets, or simply by reading books. These different prolonged activities can cause visual problems in children as well as headaches. 

It may also be due to a need for glasses or difficulties in coordination between the two eyes. In all cases, it is important to have the child screened by an ophthalmologist and/or an orthoptist in order to find adequate treatment. The sooner the health of the child’s eyes is taken care of, the more likely he is to improve his visual defects as he grows up. 

What is the role of the orthoptist?

The orthoptist is a visual health professional. They treat babies, children and adults alike. In children, the orthoptist assists in the rehabilitation of visual disorders such as amblyopia or strabismus. An assessment carried out by an orthoptist will make it possible to measure the visual abilities of the child and to identify defects in the motor skills of the eyes in order to propose a treatment adapted to the visual problems. 

Does my child need glasses to reduce his headaches?

A child who suffers from headaches may hide different symptoms that will be difficult for him to express. Visual fatigue, blurred vision, double vision or difficulties in seeing near or far can cause headaches in children. A visual assessment carried out by an ophthalmologist will define whether the child sees poorly. If the diagnosis confirms the visual problem, wearing glasses will cure the headaches. 

What are the different visual problems that cause headaches?

• Myopia is an increasingly common problem in children, linked to increased screen time. Myopia is characterised by an overly long eye which, as a result, forms a blurred image in front of the retina. The myopic child’s far vision is therefore affected and he may complain of headaches. To correct this visual defect, glasses with corrective lenses are generally prescribed. 
• Astigmatism is a visual defect that can cause headaches in children. Astigmatism is characterised by blurred and distorted vision at all distances. This disorder is detected by examining visual acuity and then refraction. The result determines whether the child needs glasses to correct the astigmatism. 
• Strabismus is a problem with eye alignment and coordination. An ophthalmological assessment carried out by an ophthalmologist will define whether the child needs an optical correction or an orthoptic assessment. If this is the case, the orthoptist will assess and support the child in his rehabilitation.