Is it true that a child complaining of headaches may need glasses?

[MurielsBottom]

Or is that a modern myth?

Just wondering as dd (8) has been complaining of headaches two or three times a week for the last month or so. Dd can be a bit of a drama queen so I've not thought too much of it but after numerous mentions from her teacher I wanted to get her checked. I was going to make a GP Appt but thought an eye test first would be more helpful.

Glasses certainly sorted out my headaches so could be the problem- worth checking it out.

When was the last time she had an eye test?

She should really be having annual eye tests. When did she last have one?

Three years ago, age five.

It won't hurt to get a test.

Dd 1 was getting alot of headaches at one point was the first thing i checked too

That was the source of my headaches when I was 10.

If you have ruled out things like dehydration then well worth getting checked

Yes, cured my ds's headaches when he could see the board in class!

Yes, I always get headaches if I need a new prescription for my glasses. Children's eyetests are free, you have nothing to lose by taking her. I think glasses are too.

My son complained of headaches when he was six and turned out he needed glasses

Thanks everyone. Eye test is booked for Friday. Funnily enough she has not complained at all during half term.

Regardless you should take her. You will probably get an appointment before you manage to get one for the GP!!

Yes, but then a few months later the headaches returned do I thought it was a false win, so I took her back and guess what... she had had a growth spurt so needed a new prescription.

At aged 8 she should be able to tell you that she needs glasses.

My DD was 10 when her eyesight suddenly deteriated. She knew without question that she needs glasses - could no longer read text on the tv, couldn't read the board at school. It was am quite obvious to her.

My 7 year old complained of headaches. Took him for an eye test, perfect eyesight. He actually cried and sulked because he wanted glasses. That may have been the reason he starting talking about headaches. Or maybe not. We never found out, he was fine within a week. But it wasn't caused by his eyesight.

Glad you are booked in for eye test with her, growth spurts at this age can cause issues with eyesight and even if it comes back fine you can cross off the list for the gp. Incidentally both my DDs needed glasses within last 18mths eldest was just turned 11 and youngest was a month before her 9th bday and neither had headaches and was noticed both times by grandparents whose tv is far away for table when playing games and girls couldn't read things on tv!! (Our tv is a lot closer) when they got glasses they thought it was amazing how much better they could see and such detail

When I needed glasses at ten I didn't know. I'd been overcompensating with my good eye and that's why I got the headaches.

So I wouldn't assume she would know she needs them

It's a bit daft to say they would know they would need glasses. Children eyes are good at overcompensating if one eye isn't working so well.

Yes it can be and yearly eye checks are recommended for children.
If all is ok then a really big cause of headaches in kids is dehydration.
If you see your GP and no other cause then unfortunately some kids (like mine) are just headache sufferers.

Of course they wouldn't know as they've never know any different (I was severely short sighted and parents didn't notice....)

However you should have an annual sight check for them.anyway! 3 years is a long time not to.

And it's also worth saying that their prescriptions can change quickly, first glasses a year ago, new pair in January. Complained again 8 weeks later but didn't believe her, made her wait another couple of months, oops.