Can Wearing Glasses Make a Toddler's Eyesight Better?

Understandably, parents may want assurances that eyeglasses will help improve their little tyke̵7;s vision. Putting glasses on a toddler and expecting her to keep them on may be asking a lot of both the child and the parents. But according to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, if the toddler̵7;s vision is corrected and the glasses are fitted properly, the problem should be minimized. Depending on your child's particular condition, glasses could correct the problem or improve the condition. For nearsightedness and farsightedness, however, glasses do not improve nor weaken vision.

  1. Near and Far

    • The AAPOS notes that myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) can occur in toddlers, although it is more common in school-age children. Minimal farsightedness is normal in babies and toddlers. As eye muscles develop, sight becomes normal. However, if your toddler̵7;s hyperopia is greater than a measurement of +2.00, eyeglasses may be needed to prevent blurred vision, eye discomfort and crossing of the eyes. Being mildly nearsighted still allows your child to see and perform tasks up close. If his ability to see distances is severely impaired, glasses can correct the problem.

    Lazy Eye

    • A condition known as amblyopia, or "lazy eye," is the main cause of vision loss in kids in the United States, according to the AAPOS. Amblyopia is a decrease in sight in one or both eyes. This causes blurred vision that the brain eventually accepts as normal vision. If left undetected for too long, even glasses may not be able to correct the problem. Amblyopia can begin as early as 1 week of age. To detect this condition, your pediatrician should begin vision screening during infancy and continue until school age. If you notice your toddler squinting or getting up very close to look at something, bring this to your pediatrician̵7;s attention. Patching the weak eye or using drops along with glasses may help correct the problem.

    Wandering Eyes

    • If you notice your toddler̵7;s eyes wandering, each in a different direction, she may have strabismus. Strabismus is characterized by the misalignment of one or both eyes. An eye can move outward or inward while the stable eye remains steady. Your child may exhibit this condition all the time or just when she is tired, according to KidsHealth.org. The weak or "wandering eye" suffers from poor vision. If glasses are not prescribed, the vision in the weak eye may eventually be lost. Other forms of treatment are the use of a patch, eye drops and, in extreme cases, surgery.

    Curvature of the Eye

    • Curvature of the lens or cornea of the is called "astigmatism." It affects children from birth onward. Because the cornea or lens is misshapen, light is not reflected properly and the eye can̵7;t focus. This can cause blurred vision, eye strain and headaches in your little one. Astigmatism may be difficult to diagnose in young children because of their inability to communicate effectively. The most common treatment to correct astigmatism is glasses.

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