Can your child see well? 6 signs to watch for

Why children do not complain

A child has nothing to compare with. If the board has always been hard to read, they assume it is the same for everyone. They adapt: they move closer, copy from a neighbour, or guess.

So what looks like daydreaming is sometimes simply eyesight. And no child has ever focused harder because someone said "just try harder".

The 6 signs to watch for

• Squinting to see things far away, or frowning at the television.
• Sitting very close to the screen, or holding books right up to the face.
• Rubbing their eyes often, even when they are not tired.
• Complaining of headaches, especially after school or homework.
• Closing one eye or tilting the head to see better.
• The teacher says they struggle to read what is on the board.

One of these, once in a while, does not necessarily mean much. If they keep coming back, or you recognise several, it is worth a check.

What these signs do not tell you

These clues are not a diagnosis. They only say "this is worth checking". Only an examination can tell whether your child's vision needs correcting, and how.

Sometimes everything is fine and you go home reassured. That is the best possible result, and well worth the trip.

What to do in Douala

At Jackson Eye Clinic we see the whole family, children included. An eye consultation costs 2,000 FCFA. We are in Kotto-Bonamoussadi, between Pharmacie Kotto and Santa Lucia, open Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 17:00 and Saturday from 8:00 to 17:00.

Saturday is often easiest for families: no school to miss. Message us on WhatsApp on 698 18 30 54 to find the best time. And the next time your child presses their nose to the screen, you will know they may not just be trying to annoy you.