Cases of vision impairment are on the rise, and unfortunately, even children are affected. According to the 2022 American Community Survey, approximately 600,000 children experience vision difficulties in the United States alone. The American Optometric Association also mentioned that vision problems compromise a child’s school performance and self-esteem, prompting the need for early intervention and vision correction to prevent further eye complications.
Poor visual skills can result in reading difficulties and hampered participation in activities requiring visual attention. This struggle can ultimately affect children’s confidence, which in turn affects their mental health. Below, we dig deeper at the connection between vision impairment and children’s mental health and what parents can do to help.
The link between vision and children’s mental health
Research by Orbis International revealed that kids with eye conditions like myopia experienced significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression than children with normal vision. According to the study, since vision impairment limits children’s participation in physical activities and hinders academic performance and social interaction, their self-esteem, feelings of belonging, and, ultimately, their state of mind are affected. For instance, kids with near-sightedness may feel different or isolated upon realizing they have difficulty focusing or reading more than their peers. It’s often difficult to tell if your child has vision problems because they may think that the way they see is not a cause of concern. Luckily, there are ways to help your child cope and identify ocular issues as early as possible. Here’s how:
What parents can do to help
Ensure regular eye exams
To help with early detection, taking your child to regular eye check-ups is essential. An eye exam evaluates your kid’s vision and checks for early signs of common ocular problems like glaucoma, astigmatism, and myopia. An ophthalmologist can assess your child’s overall eye health, visual acuity, depth perception, and eye movements to see if your kid needs vision correction or early intervention to combat ocular issues. That way, you can prevent the development or worsening of eye problems that can affect your child’s performance and overall mental health.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
If your child is experiencing anxiety or depression due to compromised vision, you can try a psychotherapeutic approach. Enrolling them in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) enables them to receive specific treatments that can help them pinpoint and dissect their triggers, feelings, and thoughts, as well as modify their thinking patterns to help change their moods and behavior for the better. CBT can help with anxiety and depression by helping your child confront a feared stimulus or negative thought pattern to alleviate uneasiness. CBT also offers mindfulness techniques and encourages your child to write down or communicate their thoughts and feelings to help them feel better.
Talk to your child’s school teachers about your kid’s special needs
Talking to your kid’s teachers and school administrators about your child’s condition is crucial. That way, they can accommodate your kid’s needs in the classroom. For instance, the teacher can arrange your child’s seat in front if he’s having trouble seeing or reading at the back. It can help your kid perform in class better, plus they will feel seen and welcomed, reducing feelings of social isolation.
Ensure open and honest communication at home
When your child is experiencing certain conditions that can be difficult for young minds to understand, they must know that they can approach you with any issue and without judgment. Research published in the Preventive Medicine journal mentioned that positive parent-child communication regarding sensitive topics is associated with optimistic child well-being. Emphasizing that you’re always ready to listen and receive them with love and support reinforces encouragement and allows them to open up about difficulties at school and their feelings. That way, you can both find common ground and solutions.
From regular eye exams to making them feel loved and supported, there are many ways to help your child deal with ocular issues. Follow these tips to help your kid achieve a better quality of life.
Anchilee Selene Croston is a freelance writer. She writes a variety of topics, but specializes in education and tech. When not working on her next piece, she enjoys spending time with her two Labradors. Feel free to contact her via email cheyanne.seren01@gmail.com
