Page 97 - Prevention (February 2020)

Vision Issues Anxiety
Like adults, kids can be nearsighted Stress is normal, but for about 4.4 mil-
or farsighted or have astigmatism. lion kids in the U.S., those feelings are
But it’s rare for them to be able to put severe enough to merit a diagnosis of
their troubles into words. “Children anxiety. “Some aren’t sure why they’re
with poor vision in one eye may not nervous and may not know how to
even realize it unless the other eye explain it,” says Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D.,
is closed,” says Julia E. Reid, M.D., a a clinical and school psychologist and
pediatric ophthalmologist at Nemours/ author of Bounce Back: How to Be a
Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children Resilient Kid. “Still others are capable,
in Wilmington, DE. “And those with but afraid of worrying their parents
an issue in both eyes may have never by sharing their anxiety.”
experienced normal vision, so they CLUES TO LOOK FOR: Sleep issues, reg-
don’t realize anything’s wrong.” ular declarations of “I don’t feel good,”
CLUES TO LOOK FOR: Squinting, or inability to focus in school, relax,
head-tilting, eye-rubbing, holding or have fun. Some kids may be more
books super close, and sitting very emotional, withdrawn, or clingy; other
near the TV. Kids may struggle to see signs include short temper, irritability,
the board and follow along in class, or lack of interest in everyday activities.
have poor hand-eye coordination, and/ WHAT TO DO: “Empathetically talk with
or have a deficit in early literacy skills. your child and show that you wouldn’t
WHAT TO DO: For kids who are pre- be disappointed if he or she felt anx-
school age or younger, visit a pediatric ious,” says Moss. Find out if there’s a
ophthalmologist. Older children can medical cause, such as thyroid issues,
see a pediatrician, a pediatric optome- and consider visiting a therapist who
trist, or a pediatric ophthalmologist. specializes in working with kids.

Type 1 Diabetes assistant professor and or heavy breathing, or

It can take an average of pediatric endocrinologist fruity-smelling breath
25 days for a child to get at the University of may develop.
a diagnosis of type 1 Florida in Gainesville. WHAT TO DO: “If your
diabetes—which can CLUES TO LOOK FOR: child is vomiting, has
put him or her at risk for Early signs include abdominal pain, is
life-threatening compli- increased need to pee, breathing fast or heavily,
cations. “Symptoms are upset stomach, bed- and has increased thirst,
often similar to those of wetting, weight loss, urination, or weight loss,
other conditions, like a and feeling lethargic or get to the ER,” says
urinary tract infection very thirsty. Over time, Dr. Jacobsen. Otherwise,
or a stomach bug,” says blurry vision, headaches, make a pediatrician
Laura Jacobsen, M.D., an nausea, vomiting, fast appointment ASAP.

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