Toddler is Squinting at Night to View TV

[VisionConcerns]

Hello, for the last 2 nights my 2 1/2 year old son has been squinting while watching TV just before bedtime. The TV is 6 feet away. In the mornings, I have asked him to identify pictures (about 3-5 inches in size) of various objects from a distance of 20 feet away and he was able to do so correctly without squinting. He also was viewing the TV in the daytime (one from 6 feet away and one from 8 feet away) without squinting.

I am concerned that he may have developed myopia due to too much TV viewing - sometimes from a very close distance since he would play with toys on the table holding the TV set. If he is able to see well in the day, could this still be myopia? I plan to make an appointment for him to see an optometrist or opthamologist on Monday. Is there anything I should do now besides eliminating TV in the meantime?

Also we have been outdoors playing at the park the past 2 days for the first time after the winter and it is somewhat dusty out. Could there be a relation between his squinting and outdoor exposure? Thank you kindly for your answers.

- A Concerned Mom

[Timothy D McGarity, M.D.]

It's very doubtful that he has developed sudden myopia. I think it's more of a relationship of outdoor dust allergen exposure or he's just squinting for the sake of squinting. Good idea on the check up though.
Sincerely,
Timothy D. McGarity, M.D.

[VisionConcerns]

I believe this is the case too but was worried about the worst.  Thanks very much for your reply doctor!