Written by Tan Sweet Wei, Head of Orthoptist – Optimax Eye Specialist Centre
Tan Sweet Wei is a certified orthoptist with over 10 years of experience in paediatric vision development and binocular vision disorders. She is part of the clinical team at Optimax, home to Malaysia’s first dedicated Myopia Management Centre.
👁️ What’s an orthoptist?
Orthoptists are specialists in children’s vision, eye movement disorders, and binocular vision. They work alongside optometrists and ophthalmologists to diagnose and manage conditions like squint (strabismus), lazy eye (amblyopia), and reading or focusing difficulties.
We monitor our children’s growth, grades, and even their nutrition. But when it comes to their eyesight, many parents miss the early signs of trouble.
Most children don’t complain about blurry or uncomfortable vision — they simply adapt. As a result, serious issues can go unnoticed until they start affecting school, confidence, or coordination.
Here are five commonly missed signs of eye problems in children — and what you can do to protect their vision early.
1. They Don’t Say “I Can’t See” — They Just Cope
Children often assume that what they see is normal. They may not realise that blurry vision or eye strain isn’t something everyone experiences.
📍 Watch for these behaviours:
- Squinting or tilting the head
- Sitting very close to the TV or holding books too close
- Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
🎯 What to do:
Bring them for a comprehensive eye exam, not just a basic school vision screening. Early testing can pick up myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism before they worsen.
2. They Rub Their Eyes — A Lot
Frequent eye rubbing can be a sign of more than tiredness. It could mean uncomfortable vision, allergies, or eye strain.
📍 Other signs:
- Blinking excessively
- Watery or red eyes
- Sensitivity to light
🎯 What to do:
Observe when the rubbing happens. If it’s during screen time or reading, have their vision checked by an eye care professional.
3. They Struggle in School — But Not Due to Intelligence
Undiagnosed vision issues can impact focus, reading ability, and classroom performance. Some children even get mislabelled as having attention problems.
📍 Red flags include:
- Losing place while reading
- Skipping words or lines
- Avoiding books or close-up tasks
🎯 What to do:
Ask if they see words “moving” or if reading makes them tired. A simple binocular vision test can uncover issues with eye coordination or tracking.
4. One Eye Drifts In or Out Occasionally
Even a slight misalignment — especially when tired or daydreaming — could be a sign of strabismus (eye turn), which may lead to amblyopia (lazy eye).
📍 What to look for:
- Eye turning inward or outward
- Uneven eye reflection in flash photos
- Covering one eye when looking at something
🎯 What to do:
The earlier strabismus is caught, the easier it is to manage — often with glasses, patching, or vision therapy before age 7.
5. They Avoid Sports or Seem Clumsy
Poor vision can affect depth perception and coordination — but many kids won’t realise they’re seeing differently.
📍 Signs include:
- Missing the ball during games
- Bumping into things
- Hesitating with fast-paced activities
🎯 What to do:
If your child avoids physical play, it could be their vision — not a lack of interest. An eye coordination test can clarify.
👁 Why Annual Eye Exams Matter
Most vision problems in kids can be corrected or managed early — but delay can cause long-term issues. That’s why we recommend yearly check-ups starting at age 3 or earlier if you notice any symptoms.
🏥 Why Parents Trust Optimax
As Malaysia’s pioneer in laser and vision correction, Optimax offers:
- Paediatric-friendly eye exams with no pressure or scary machines
- Expert orthoptists and optometrists trained to assess young eyes
- Clear, honest guidance — even when no glasses are needed
- An award-winning Myopia Centre, honoured with the Parenthood Parents’ Choice Award 2024 as Malaysia’s first dedicated Myopia Management Centre, offering a full range of evidence-based treatments — from myopia control lenses to atropine eye drops and customised monitoring plans
Whether your child needs glasses, lifestyle advice, or active myopia control — our team is here to support their vision journey, every step of the way.
📆 Book Your Child’s Eye Screening Today
Your child might not complain.
But their eyes might already be telling you something.
📍 Available at Optimax centres nationwide
📞 WhatsApp your nearest Optimax branch for more info
📆 Your child’s clear vision starts here – complete the form to reserve an appointment.
