Why would a child need glasses?
Children may need glasses for several reasons—some of which are different than for adults. Because a child’s vision system is growing and developing, especially during the first 5-6 years of life, glasses may play an important role in insuring normal vision development. The main reasons a child may need glasses are: 1) To provide better vision, so that a child may function better in his/her environment 2) To help straighten the eyes when they are crossed or misaligned (strabismus) 3) To help strengthen the vision of a weak eye (amblyopia or “lazy eye”). This may occur when there is a difference in prescription between the two eyes (anisometropia). For example, one eye may be normal, while the other eye may have a significant need for glasses caused by near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism. 4) To provide protection for one eye if the other eye has poor vision. [Back to Top] How can a child be tested for glasses, especially in infancy or early childhood?
Children may need glasses for several reasons—some of which are different than for adults. Because a child’s vision system is growing and developing, especially during the first 5-6 years of life, glasses may play an important role in insuring normal vision development. The main reasons a child may need glasses are: 1) To provide better vision, so that a child may function better in his/her environment 2) To help straighten the eyes when they are crossed or misaligned (strabismus) 3) To help strengthen the vision of a weak eye (amblyopia or “lazy eye”). This may occur when there is a difference in prescription between the two eyes (anisometropia). For example, one eye may be normal, while the other eye may have a significant need for glasses caused by near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism. 4) To provide protection for one eye if the other eye has poor vision. [Back to Top] How can a child be tested for glasses, especially in infancy or early childhood? An ophthalmologist can
