If your child is reporting frequent headaches, is bumping into things, or seems like he or she is squinting when looking at a book, these are sure signs of a need for a vision exam. For a parent, it can be a challenge to determine whether a child is just behaving funny or if there truly is a vision disorder. These tips can help a parent determine if a child needs corrective contacts or eyeglasses.

Vision Testing at School

Many schools offer preliminary vision testing to kindergarten students and every year or two after that. These tests are basic examinations of a child's vision. Many companies realize that these tests can predict nearsightedness or farsightedness, but may not be able to detect other vision issues such as lazy eye or astigmatism. If your child does not pass a school vision test, this is a good sign that they need glasses.

Trouble Reading

Difficulty with seeing the whiteboard at school or the words on the pages of a book suggests that your child needs contacts or eyeglasses. Kids might also start to have difficulty with reading on a computer monitor or the screen of an electronic device. Your child might report that the words blur together or seem to move around the page.

Tripping or Loss of Coordination

If your child begins to trip a lot or seems to be klutzy when simply walking through a room, it could be due to a vision issue. Your child might not be able to see his or her feet on the floor or where a step ends. Other medical issues can also cause a loss of coordination, so it is important to follow up with an eye doctor on this.

Professional Eye Exam

The best way to find out if your child needs contacts or eyeglasses is to schedule a professional eye exam. The eye doctor will screen your child's vision in several different ways, including near and far vision, color vision, and visual orientation. The doctor also checks for disorders of the eye, including high pressure, cataracts, and poor coordination.

When a child is apprehensive about an eye exam, consider visiting a pediatric vision specialist. These ophthalmologists offer child-sized equipment and a kid-friendly environment. If it turns out that your child does need glasses or contacts, allow him or her to pick out the frames or types of lenses. This increases the chances that your child will wear the corrective lenses.