Children's eye check-ups in Kolkata
Children rarely complain that they can't see. They assume everyone sees the way they do. Most vision problems in children are found by parents, teachers, or a routine check, and most are easy to treat when caught early.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ananyabrata Das, MBBS, DOUpdated 22 October 2026
Signs to watch for
- Sitting very close to the TV or holding the phone close to the face
- Screwing up the eyes, tilting the head, or covering one eye
- Copying wrongly from the board; a teacher mentions it
- Rubbing the eyes a lot, headaches after school
- One eye turning in or out, even occasionally
- A white reflection in the pupil in photos: get this checked within days
Myopia in school children
More and more Kolkata children need minus-power glasses, and at younger ages. Long hours of close work, screens and tuition, with little time outdoors, are a big part of why.
- Outdoor time: about two hours of daylight a day is one of the best-proven ways to slow myopia.
- Screens: breaks every 20–30 minutes, phones held at arm's length.
- Myopia control: low-dose atropine drops, special spectacle lenses or contact lenses can slow progression in children whose power is rising fast.
- Glasses: wearing the right glasses does not make eyes "weaker". Under-correcting does not help either.
Lazy eye and squint
A lazy eye (amblyopia) looks normal but doesn't see well, because the brain has learned to rely on the other eye. It is treated with glasses and patching, and works best before seven or eight. See squint treatment.
Eye allergy
Itchy, red, watery eyes, worse in the hot months, are very common in Kolkata children, particularly boys. A severe form, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, can damage the cornea and lead to keratoconus through constant rubbing. It needs proper treatment, not repeated chemist drops.
Bringing your child
Tell your child they'll look at pictures and letters, and get "magic drops" that make the eyes big for a while. Bring their glasses, school eye-test reports and a snack. Dilating drops can blur near vision for several hours.
Questions
When should my child's eyes first be checked?
A newborn's eyes are checked at birth. A full eye exam by an eye doctor is recommended by age three or four, and before starting school, sooner if there are any signs.
Will my child's power go away?
Myopia usually increases through school years and stabilises in the late teens or twenties. Long-sightedness in young children often reduces with growth.
Do screens damage children's eyes?
Screens don't cause blindness, but long hours of close work and less outdoor time are linked to rising myopia. Breaks and outdoor play help.