For kids with vision conditions, glasses are a critical part of making sure they have the quality vision they need for life. Several signs may indicate whether your child has impaired vision and might need glasses. Kids' eyeglasses will alleviate the pressure on their eyes and clear up their vision, helping them be more successful in every aspect of their daily lives.
Carmi Eye Care in Carmi and the surrounding area can handle all your child’s vision needs. It is essential to be aware of your child’s overall eye health and what you can do to protect it.
Call Carmi Eye Care at 618-374-0513 if you want more information about kids' eyeglasses and to discuss our other available health services.
Vision is about more than just seeing clearly. For kids, it is about being able to understand and respond to what they are seeing. Vision and learning are closely linked, and kids who are not doing well in school may be suffering from a learning-related vision problem.
According to the American Optometric Association, as much as 80 percent of learning is visual. These visual tasks range from reading to math problems to computer work, and succeeding at them requires good vision.
Johns Hopkins lists several signs that indicate a child may be suffering from poor vision and might benefit from eyeglasses:
Squinting
This may signal that the child is having trouble focusing on an object. Squinting allows the child to temporarily improve their vision and focus. However, it is not going to provide long term benefits and vision assistance in the same way that prescription lenses can.
Tilting the head or covering one eye to see better
Your child might cover one eye or tilt the head to try to see better. Either behavior could indicate the eyes aren’t aligned properly or that your child has a lazy eye, which is one of the most common eye disorders in children.
Rubbing eyes excessively
Extreme eye rubbing is a sign your child could be suffering from eye fatigue or strain, which can be an indication of vision issues.
Sitting too close to screens of electronic devices
Both actions are possible signs of poor vision. People who are nearsighted can see clearly at close range but have trouble seeing at a distance. Holding an object closer to the eyes makes the image clearer and is a sign that the child needs help seeing better.
Complaining of headaches or eye pain
If a child suffers from eye pain or a headache regularly, they may be straining their eyes to fix blurred vision.
Children often wear glasses for reasons other than just improving vision. That includes strengthening a weak or lazy eye; improving the position of their eyes; or providing protection if they have poor vision in one eye.
Our team will do a physical exam of the child’s eyes as well as vision screenings. These screenings involve eye chart tests, letters, or a game that measures how well the child sees the form and details of objects. If the child is a bit older, they may be asked to identify pictures of various objects.
If our optometrist recommends eyeglasses for a child, they will need to come to Carmi Eye Care every year for a comprehensive exam by our team. Eyeglasses are vital to the child’s vision and should be worn as prescribed.
PreventBlindness.org lists several tips and tricks parents can use to help a child keep their frames safe and protected. It is essential to teach a child that, as soon as they take off their glasses, the glasses must be placed in a hard-sided case. This simple step will help keep a child's glasses safe and limit the chance someone accidentally stepping on them. Additionally, parents can teach a child how to use both hands to take off their glasses. This helps prevent bending or uneven wear.
It is essential to keep a child’s glasses clean. Keep wipes specially made for lenses with you for cleaning on the go. Never use anything with chemicals to clean a child’s lenses, and always dry them with a clean microfiber cloth. The easiest and cheapest way to clean glasses is to use a drop of mild dish soap and warm water.
It is crucial to dry with a warm cotton cloth and ensure children do not dry it with their shirt. Dust particles from the shirt could end up scratching the lenses. As much as parents try to prevent broken frames and cracked lenses, at the end of the day, kids are still kids. It is best to have an extra pair of glasses ready to go in case one pair does break.
Never assume that a child has perfect vision because they passed a vision screening. Even if a child can see clearly, they may still have trouble focusing their eyes or challenges with eye coordination. Only a comprehensive vision exam with our team can determine whether a child has no vision issues.
Kids' eyeglasses can solve a multitude of problems that go beyond just helping a child see better. The earlier a vision problem is diagnosed and treated, the better. If you suspect that your child is suffering from vision issues and might need eyeglasses, call us at 618-374-0513 to schedule an appointment with our team.
How do I choose the right eyeglasses for my child?
Make sure you let your child take the lead when it comes to picking out their glasses. Kids are more likely to wear eyeglasses when allowed to choose a pair they like and feel confident in wearing. Choosing the correct shape and size of the frame is also essential to make sure the glasses are comfortable to wear. The glasses will also need regular adjustments to make sure they continue to fit correctly. Our team will be able to help you and your child pick the perfect pair.
What is a lazy eye?
The term "lazy eye" is used to describe an eye that drifts either outward toward the ear or inward toward the nose. This can be caused by a problem with the muscles surrounding the eye or an uncorrected vision error. If the problem is just muscular, it can be corrected with surgery. If it is vision-related, it can be corrected with glasses. Often, both solutions are needed.
Does my child need to wear their glasses all the time?
Yes, unless you have been advised otherwise by our optometrist. This is to make sure your child’s vision develops normally. It will also help your child’s eyes fully adjust to their new glasses. Try to make putting on their glasses part of your child's morning routine. A reward chart could also help encourage your child to keep their glasses on all day.
Will my child always need glasses?
It depends on your child and their vision diagnosis. Vision continues developing through childhood until around the age of 8\. Therefore, your child needs to wear their glasses full-time during these years to allow their vision to develop to its full potential. Many children continue wearing glasses through their teen years, and some will need them their entire life.
Is my child a candidate for contact lenses?
While children do not typically wear contact lenses, you can consider contact lenses for teenagers. However, we will need to review their eyesight, overall health, and current prescription to determine if they are candidates.