Extra sensitivity to light is one of the warning signs of a refractive error. Farsightedness is very common in young children. Excessive farsightedness can lead to strabismus , which is also still very common in children this age. Sometimes the excessive farsightedness can simply be corrected with glasses, and the crossed eye resolves. A severely crossed eye may require surgery.
Untreated strabismus can lead to amblyopia .
Nearsightedness , on the other hand, requires immediate correction with glasses. A child's eye can't compensate for the blurry distance vision like it can for the blurry near vision. Astigmatism will also lead to blurry, distorted vision if your child has a moderate amount, and requires correction with glasses. Having a complete eye exam even before the child enters school allows enough time to catch and correct any problems while the visual system retains flexibility and elasticity. Should your child require correction for any visual problem, be it nearsightedness, farsightedness or strabismus, he should be examined on a yearly basis.