Signs Your Child Needs Glasses
Starting vision care early plays an important role in your child’s development. Visiting eye doctors and having routine exams will help you catch vision problems early, but are there other ways to tell when a kid needs corrective lenses? Be on the lookout for these signs your child needs glasses.
How can I tell if my child needs glasses?
Watch for these signs your child needs glasses:
- Squinting
- Sitting too closely to the TV
- Holding devices too near
- Excessive eye rubbing
- Headaches or eye pain
- Difficulty concentrating
One or more of these actions may be a sign that corrective lenses would benefit your child. Your next step should be contacting an eye care professional for an exam.
Many schools perform eye exams on students. If your child fails a school vision test, you should still schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. They can help you determine if there is a problem that requires further treatment.
First Eye Exam: What To ExpectDoes screen time affect a child’s vision?
There haven’t been many concrete studies on the effects of too much screen time on children’s eye and vision development. However, we do know that too much screen time causes eye strain and irritation. Likewise, focusing heavily on objects that are too close can cause eye fatigue. This is true for both children and adults.
How much screen time should kids have?
The World Health Organization has published guidelines on screen time for children under five years old.
- Kids under 1 year of age: no screen time
- Kids 1-2 years of age: 0-60 minutes of screen time
- Kids 3-4 years of age: No more than 1 hour of screen time
Less is best when it comes to screen time in younger children. If you notice your child having any sorts of vision problems or eye strain after screen use, try to reduce screen time and contact an eye care professional.
How can kids keep their vision healthy?
For older children who use screens for homework and leisure activities, taking breaks from looking at the screen can help reduce eye strain and fatigue.
You should also teach your kids the 20-20-20 method. Every 20 minutes, take a break and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This can help refocus eyes and lessen fatigue. (It’s a great exercise for adults, too!)
Also consider buying kids’ computer glasses. The specially coated lenses can cut harmful blue light and reduce digital eye strain.
What to do when your child needs glasses?
If your child needs eyeglasses to correct a vision problem, there’s no need to panic. Many children wear glasses. In fact, catching vision problems early can lead to improvements in your child’s vision.
Some children wear eyeglasses to help correct vision problems as their muscles and eye coordination continue to develop. In the future, they may no longer need to wear glasses.
If your child needs glasses, schedule a regular eye exam once a year. This will ensure that your eye doctor can keep track of developments and keep your child’s prescription up to date.
There are myths that say wearing glasses makes your vision weaker. This is false. Glasses help to correct vision, strengthen eye muscles, all while reducing headaches and other eye strain issues.
When your child needs corrective eyewear, Yesglasses can help!
Children needing eyeglasses is nothing out of the ordinary. Of course, when it’s time to get eyeglasses, make sure to buy them a pair they love to wear.
If you’re searching for great styles for your kids, look no further than Yesglasses. We have frames for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens.
Shop Kids’ Eyeglasses
