Your child tilts his head: could it be his eyes?

He tilts his head excessively

Have you noticed that your child tilts his head, or that he has torticollis? Although it is not the first thing that comes to mind, this can be a symptom of an eye problem. 

Indeed, the position of the head can be used to calm spontaneous movements of the eyes or to compensate for an eye deviation. Find out more about nystagmus and strabismus.

Nystagmus or shaking eyes

Some children may have nystagmus. This ocular pathology has as a symptom eyes that move abnormally, in a jerky way. In some cases, looking in a certain direction can calm the shaking, which is why the child tilts his head to one side.

You will then notice that eye movements become more visible when the child is asked to keep his head straight.

Strabismus or deviation of one eye

“Tilting” the head can also be used to compensate for an eye deviation. This then becomes apparent when the child is asked to hold his head straight. In this case, it is strabismus.

Strabismus can be intermittent or constant. The eyes can be deflected at different angles: in the direction of the nose, in the direction of the temple, upwards or downwards. Sometimes, the child also complains of blurred vision.

What if I notice that my child tilts his head regularly?

It is important to mention an abnormal position of the head to the paediatrician, who may assess the need for an ophthalmological examination based on their own clinical examination. 

It is also possible to consult an ophthalmologist directly in order to exclude a visual origin for torticollis. They can then propose a suitable solution to treat the child’s postural problem.