The International Reading Association has published a booklet called “Your Child’s Vision Is Important.” It tells parents how to spot vision problems before they affect schoolwork.

Here are some signs your child may need to have a vision test. Your child may:

• Squint at either close or distant targets

• Complain about headaches

• Tell you that print seems to “blur” after a short period of time

• Often leave words out when reading

• Skip or re-read lines regularly

• Use a finger to keep her place when reading

• Rub his eyes when reading or writing

• Blink often while writing or reading—but not at other times

• Write with a ragged left margin (older children)

• Complain of double vision.

Your child may avoid reading and writing as much as possible. If you notice these signals, have your child’s eyes tested.

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