When children play outdoors in the sun, they might react negatively to how the sunlight affects their vision. However, this may be a sign of a deeper vision condition.
Many parents think that when a child closes one eye in bright sunlight, it is simply to avoid glare. And while photosensitivity can be an explanation for this behavior, it is important to note that it is not the only explanation. Bright sunlight might also cause issues with vision alignment to manifest, resulting in phenomena like double vision, causing children to close one of their eyes to restore a perception of normality.
Why closing one eye in sunlight could signify an eye health condition that requires an eye exam
When a child closes one eye in sunlight, it can be a sign of a binocular vision disorder. The consequences can be long-lasting if parents do not address it promptly.
Amanda Yonkers, a certified orthoptist and member of the American Association of Certified Orthoptists, explains that early intervention is the most important thing a parent can do to ensure that their child develops healthy vision. Yonkers points out that eye alignment disorders can sometimes hide themselves, especially in young children.
“Children can have significant alignment or vision problems without realizing that anything is wrong,” she explains. “Amblyopia is often missed because children function well with their good eyes and caregivers don’t notice vision problems. And young children often don’t know that their vision is abnormal because they don’t have anything to compare it to.”
Some parents may also dismiss problems outside in the sunlight as “temporary,” but it is important to note that even intermittent eye drifting is enough to make testing worthwhile.
“Intermittent eye drifting can indicate an underlying alignment disorder and can still lead to problems like amblyopia or loss of depth perception,” says Yonkers.
What an eye doctor can do to ensure proper vision development
It is important for binocular vision disorders to be caught in childhood because the vision systems are still developing. Early intervention and eye care can help prevent long-term vision loss.
“Many alignment disorders require treatment, or at least monitoring, to prevent long-term vision problems,” says Yonkers. “We treat these conditions early to prevent vision loss and help the brain maintain the ability to perceive depth.”
If an eye alignment disorder goes untreated without eye care services, it can have significant consequences on a child’s vision, including strabismus (an eye that drifts), amblyopia (lazy eye), and the risk of losing or never properly forming depth perception.
“Depth perception and coordinated vision can matter for everyday activities like reading, sports, navigating spaces, and other daily tasks,” explains Yonkers. “That’s not to mention the fact that improving noticeable eye misalignment can positively affect how children feel about themselves and interact with others.”
Thankfully, conditions like strabismus and amblyopia are reversible and treatable if caught during the “critical period,” when the vision systems are developing from birth until between the ages of 7 and 9 years.
“When an eye misalignment is treated early and visual input from both eyes is restored, depth perception can improve or begin developing,” Yonkers explains. “Many patients have a combination of amblyopia and strabismus, and when both are treated as early as possible, it gives the child the best possible chance of normal visual development.”
While treating a binocular vision disorder may sound intimidating, the truth is that surgical treatments are not the only option. In many cases, they are a last resort.
“Treatment depends on the type and cause of the misalignment and may include eyeglasses or other eyewear, patching, exercises in select cases, or surgery,” Yonkers explains. “In many cases, a multimodal approach is used for the best outcome. Orthoptists specialize in non-surgical treatment and can help families understand the benefits of any treatment method.”
Why you should see an eye care professional if your child is closing one eye in sunlight
Parents should not miss a potential sign of a binocular vision disorder, such as closing one eye in sunlight. Although it might be nothing, it may also be the sign of a significant vision disorder that needs treatment and intervention. Because many children don’t have the vocabulary to describe vision issues, the best — if not only — way to know whether behaviors like these signify a vision disorder is early evaluation through a full eye exam.
“Early evaluation and treatment is especially important while the visual system is still developing,” Yonkers concludes. “Orthoptists and ophthalmologists use specialized techniques to get a full eye exam at any age, even infancy. If you suspect that your child may be experiencing a vision disorder, ask your pediatrician, eye doctor, or ophthalmologist about a consultation with an orthoptist today.”
