Dr Mamata Bothra, Specialist Paediatrician and Neonatologist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, urges parents not to overlook frequent headaches, squinting or difficulty concentrating, as these symptoms may sometimes indicate an undiagnosed vision problem.

Dubai: When a child repeatedly complains of headaches after school, parents may assume the cause is tiredness, stress, dehydration or excessive screen time. However, a Dubai-based paediatrician is warning that an overlooked vision problem could sometimes be contributing to the discomfort.

Dr Mamata Bothra, Specialist Paediatrician and Neonatologist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, said uncorrected eyesight problems can cause eye strain and headaches, particularly among children who spend extended periods reading, writing, studying or using digital devices.

“An uncorrected refractive error or focusing problem can sometimes cause eyestrain and headaches, particularly after prolonged near work,” Dr Bothra explained.

She highlighted the importance of recognising possible warning signs early, as children may not always realise that their vision is different from that of their classmates.

Could headaches be a sign that your child needs glasses?

According to Dr Bothra, certain vision problems can make everyday classroom activities more demanding.

Children with uncorrected short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism may struggle to see clearly at particular distances. Some may also have difficulties with focusing or coordinating their eyes during close-up tasks.

As a result, reading textbooks, copying notes from the board or completing homework may become uncomfortable.

Eye strain associated with these difficulties can sometimes contribute to headaches, especially after prolonged visual concentration.

However, Dr Bothra cautioned that not every headache is caused by poor eyesight.

Headaches in children can have several causes, including inadequate sleep, dehydration, migraine, illness and other medical conditions. Persistent or recurring symptoms therefore deserve appropriate evaluation rather than assumptions about their cause.

Five warning signs parents should watch for

Vision problems are not always obvious, especially in younger children who may assume everyone sees the world the same way.

Parents and teachers should pay attention to recurring behaviours such as:

1. Frequent headaches after reading or studying: Particularly when discomfort appears after prolonged close-up work.
2. Squinting or closing one eye: A child may do this when trying to see something more clearly.
3. Holding books or screens unusually close: This may indicate difficulty seeing at certain distances.
4. Difficulty concentrating on schoolwork: Visual discomfort can sometimes make reading and classroom tasks more challenging.
5. Avoiding reading or complaining of tired eyes: Children may lose interest in visually demanding activities because they find them uncomfortable.

These signs do not necessarily mean a child needs glasses, but they can indicate that an eye examination would be useful.

Why children may not tell their parents they cannot see clearly

One challenge in identifying childhood vision problems is that children may not recognise blurred vision as abnormal.

A child who has always struggled to see distant objects may assume that everyone experiences the same difficulty.

Others may adapt by moving closer to the television, sitting near the classroom board or avoiding activities that require sustained visual focus.

This is why relying only on a child’s complaints may not be enough to identify vision difficulties.

Regular age-appropriate vision screening and comprehensive eye examinations when indicated can help detect problems that might otherwise remain unnoticed.

Are screens responsible for children’s headaches?

Digital devices have become an important part of education, but prolonged screen use can contribute to eye discomfort in some children.

Extended periods of near work, whether on a tablet, computer or printed page, may cause temporary eye strain.

Children may also blink less frequently when concentrating on screens, potentially contributing to dry-eye symptoms.

Dr Bothra’s observations reinforce the importance of balancing screen use with regular breaks and outdoor activities.

A practical approach is the 20-20-20 rule: after approximately 20 minutes of near work, look at something around 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

However, screen exposure should not automatically be blamed for every headache, particularly when symptoms are frequent, severe or accompanied by other concerning signs.

Can undetected vision problems affect school performance?

Visual difficulties can sometimes affect how comfortably a child reads, writes and participates in classroom activities.

A student who struggles to see the board or experiences discomfort while reading may appear distracted or reluctant to complete assignments.

These behaviours can occasionally be mistaken for poor concentration or a lack of interest in schoolwork.

Nevertheless, attention and learning difficulties have many possible causes, and vision problems should be considered as one part of a broader assessment rather than assumed to be the explanation.

Early identification of a treatable vision problem may improve visual comfort and make learning activities easier.

When should parents arrange an eye examination?

Parents should consider an eye assessment if a child repeatedly squints, complains of blurred vision, experiences headaches during visual tasks or struggles to see classroom materials.

Routine vision screening is also important even when children have no obvious symptoms.

If headaches persist despite appropriate vision correction, or if they occur independently of reading or screen use, further medical assessment may be needed.

A sudden severe headache, headache with neurological symptoms, persistent vomiting, significant visual changes or other alarming symptoms requires urgent medical attention.

Healthy vision deserves a place on the school checklist

Dr Bothra emphasised that children’s health assessments should not focus only on vaccinations, nutrition and general physical wellbeing.

Vision is an important part of childhood development and can influence a child’s comfort during everyday learning activities.

Parents who notice repeated headaches, squinting or difficulty with visual tasks should seek professional advice rather than assuming the child is simply tired or spending too much time on screens.

A timely eye examination may identify a correctable problem, while appropriate medical evaluation can help rule out other causes of recurring headaches.

The message for parents is simple: a child who frequently complains of headaches after school may need more than rest — they may need their eyesight checked.