Children & Eyeglasses | Children's Eye Health & Safety Month

Although vision issues are more common in adults, some children also need to wear eyeglasses to correct vision and eye problems. In fact, it’s pretty common for kids to wear glasses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one-third of school-age kids between the ages of 6-17 years wear glasses or contacts.
​

Wearing glasses can help normal development of vision and even prevent academic issues from developing. If your kids are school-aged, they can probably tell you if they are having vision problems. In younger children though, vision problems may be harder to detect.
​

Signs Your Child May Need Glasses

Several signs and symptoms may indicate that your child has vision problems that might be corrected with glasses. According to Johns Hopkins, be aware of the following signs:

• Squinting
• Complaints of headaches and / or eye pain
• Covering one eye to see things
• Holding books or devices very close to the eyes

• Trouble focusing on schoolwork

 
If you’re unsure and concerned, you can ask your child’s teachers and / or caregivers if they have noticed any of the above signs. You can also ask them if they have any concerns about your child demonstrating any signs of vision challenges.
 
If you or your child’s teachers or caregivers notice any of the above signs, it’s important to take your child to an eye doctor. An eye doctor will perform a complete eye exam to assess your child’s vision and eye health. If necessary or appropriate, an eye doctor will prescribe eyeglasses for your child. Wearing glasses can improve your child’s vision, as well as help strengthen a weak eye and / or improve the position or alignment of the eyes.
​

Common Reasons Your Child May Need Glasses

Children may need glasses for a variety of reasons. The most common causes include the following:
 
Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness is one of the most common reasons children need glasses. Nearsightedness is a condition in which a person can see well for near tasks, but distance vision may be blurry. Although younger children may be nearsighted, it is more common in school-age children. 
 
Farsightedness
Children that are farsighted have difficulty seeing objects up close, but can see objects in the distance well.
 
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is an uneven curvature of the lens or the cornea. If your child has astigmatism, he or she may have blurry or distorted vision. Astigmatism can occur with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
​

Tips for Choosing Eyeglasses for Your Child & Helping Children Adjust

Not all kids will be thrilled that they need glasses. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to select the most appropriate glasses and encourage your child to wear them.
 
Talk Things Through
Talk to your kids about why they need to wear glasses. Ask if they have any concerns. Some kids don’t want to wear glasses because they think they will get teased or that the glasses will be uncomfortable. Talking things through may help kids feel more at ease with wearing glasses.
 
Allow Your Child to Select the Frames
Depending on your child’s age, it may be helpful to have him or her choose the frames or the color. Letting your child have some control of the situation and select what he or she likes may result in wearing the eyeglasses without a fight.
 
Make Sure Glasses Fit Well & Are Comfortable
Children are more likely to wear their glasses if they fit well and are comfortable. Glasses should not pinch or slide around too much. Make sure the glasses are well adjusted and fit the bridge of the nose properly. For younger children, wraparound frames may be helpful to keep glasses in place.
 
Teach Proper Care of Glasses
Children should learn to care for their glasses. Teach kids how to clean glasses and have them keep the glasses in a case when they are not wearing them.
 
Stay Calm
Some children may forget to wear their glasses or keep taking them off. It can become frustrating to have kids refuse to wear their glasses. Keeping a positive attitude and not making wearing glasses a battle every day can be helpful for all. If appropriate, create a game or reward system to encourage your child to wear his or her eyeglasses as prescribed.  
 
Wearing eyeglasses can be an adjustment for you and your child, and they can improve your child’s vision and functioning. If you have any questions about your child’s vision or would like to schedule an appointment for him or her with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.
 
Please stay tuned for our next post, “Are Contacts Right for Me?” as we observe Contact Lens Health Week.