watching tv sideways

when my 8yr old nephew watches tv, his head is angled to the left or right and he watches "sideways" ... he's not squint by appearance but i'm concerned that he may become if he continues this way, his eyes are also rather yellowy/strained for an 8yr old, shouldn't they naturally be more of a fresh white at this age?

[RockRose]

Do you mean his head is tipped to the left or the right,  or do you mean he is appearing to watch TV in his peripheral vision?  If he's watching in his peripheral vision,  that means that's how he gets the clearest image.  Sounds like an astigmatism or some other visual problem. I don't think telling him to watch straight on will be helpful - he's having trouble seeing straight on.

Yellowy eyes can indicate liver or kidney problems.

[allmymarbles]

Take him to an eye doctor.

[kernal]

He performs all other activities looking at things normally, it's just while watching TV. His teacher also advised that he looks at things normally in class.  We've taken him to an eye doctor who advised that all was fine and he would 'grow out of this habit'  We will however take him for a second opinion, and to seek doctor's advice on the organ disorders. Thank you for your responses.

[Sandman2]

   I really couldn't tell how his head was turned by your description.  If his ear is turned toward the ty, it could be a hearing problem.  If one ear is on his shoulder, and the other pointed at the ceiling - then I doubt it.

[kernal]

Sandman2: His ear is turned towards the tv, rather than being pointed towards the ceiling. This weekend he said that his neck pains when he watches tv staright on, and he does look sideways in class as well.
RockRose: I took note of your comment on the peripheral vision and asked whether he is able to see things clearly when he looks straight on, to which he replied 'yes'
Thank you all for your kind interest & assistance.

[Sandman2]

    Ummmmm, that's a pretty common thing to do if a person having problems hearing.   Its possible that he could have a hearing problem in one ear.  Something as simple as a wax buildup can do that.  Your family doctor can easily take care of that, and maybe also do a hearing test.

[nikobean]

My 4 year old daughter does this too.  The doctors don't seem to concerned.  She does it when she watches TV and looks out the car window.  She looks out the corner of her eyes on either side.  I have no idea how she can see anything like that!

[Bayc]

Hi there,
I'm 21 years of age and I too have had this ever since I can remember. I have no problems with hearing and my vision is fine. In watching TV or partaking in an interesting lecture...I will often unconsciously tilt my head away from the object of focus and will use my peripherals. This is something that is not uncommon in my family though, as my grandfather along with a few of my aunts and uncles also have it as well. We have had no issues with this...and for a long time I had not known that this was unusual. So as much as I would like to agree with the Dr you had spoken to...I have yet to see any of my family 'grow out' of this. It has caused us no harm at all and we have also learnt to live with it. What I'm trying to say is that this is ok...if it is not inhibiting his development...and if it is not causing him harm...then I think he will be aye okay :)
In regards to the neck pain though...I have learnt that it is better to sit to the side of the tv and not directly in front of it...not only does this help me with the neck pains..but it also helps with the embarrassing moments where you are watching tv and someone next to you thinks that you are actually staring at them and not at the tv. Also I have found that lying down (tummy facing tv) or resting their head on the chair arm will also ease the pressure off the neck.  
If you are like any relative worried for their loved one....then I advise that you seek a 2nd doctors opinion and see what they say. I'm sorry that this was so very long..but I hope this helps. Take care....

[Blwt78]

My eight year just start watching tv out the corner of eye and head turned sideways ...we go to doctor tomorrow I have made a list of things to asked doctor such as rugby ball stigma .....my son said he is just comfortable that way ..but know he is doing it when people are at a distance of 3 to 5 feet ...