their phones or laptops close to their face. “If your child needs to sit very close to screens to see them clearly or needs to get very close to text to read it,” says optometrist Dr. Sara Johnson, “it can be a sign that they have myopia (nearsightedness).” Phones and laptops are designed to be held at a safe viewing distance, and holding them too close can have a detrimental impact on kids’ eyesight. Another tell-tale sign is that your kids are hunched over when they do their schoolwork or are drawing something. “Kids who need an They sit or stand very close to the television screen, “One of the biggest hints that a child may need an eye exam,” Dr. Randall says, “is taking note of where they sit when watching TV. Dashing up to stand in front of the television is usually a sign that their eyes need to be checked out.” If your kids sit or stand very close to the television screen, chances are that something might be wrong with their eye sight, not just that they can’t get close enough to all the exciting programs that they’re watching. The same is true when your kids hold 96 HAWAII PARENT May/June 2025 Regular eye exams help catch problems before they affect your child's development. “Small children can’t tell you if they are not seeing well and older kids may not recognize their blurry eyesight isn’t normal”
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