Does your Child Need Glasses? Know, Before it’s Late

Does your child sits right in front of television? Does your kid spend much of the time playing games on smartphone or laptop? If yes, it’s time to worry as their eyes are at risk. It is difficult to know whether the child is facing any vision problem, especially in the case of a toddler. They cannot reveal themselves whether they are experiencing some kind of trouble in viewing things clearly, however their behaviour can reveal. Your toddler send you cues, you have to catch it and make sure to fix an appointment with optometrist for eye check up.

It’s hard to believe that your child may have to wear prescription glasses at such a tender age but think wisely as it’s a good option to prevent their eyes in the long run. As soon as you notice any symptom or your young infant complaints about difficulty in seeing things, rush to an eye doctor and get their eyes tested. Sometimes glasses will be required to correct any vision defect or problem and sometimes just for normal vision development.

How to know if it’s a vision problem?

Here are few signs your child / toddler might indicate, if they are experiencing vision problem:

Watching digital devices too closely: Your child / toddler would be enjoying watching cartoons or playing games but are they sitting right in front of television or are they holding the digital devices too close to their eyes? This may be a sign of poor vision. Things might appear blurred when at distance. They might see things clearly only if they bring it close to their eyes, this indicates nearsightedness.

Squinting eyes continuously or quite often: When we are not able to see things at a distant, we tend to squint our eyes and so does our child. By squinting the eyes, your child might be trying to improve the clarity of the object which is a sign of refractive error. If you notice your child is squinting quite often to view objects then get their eyes tested.

Rubbing eyes excessively: If a child experience difficulty in viewing things clearly, they may excessively rub their eyes. They might also rub their eyes due to strain on eyes or irritation. Sometimes is fine but if it’s a continual habit then it can be a vision problem.

Not able to focus: If your child complaints about not able to see the board clearly in school or if you find them reading books by popping their eyes out or drawing/ colouring by completely putting their head inside the book then certainly they are finding it difficult to focus.

Play game to test their eyes, yourself

Before you take your young infant for an eye test, you can conduct a small test yourself and check. Play some vision games like asking the child to see things at a distance and asking to describe it by its colour and shape. Ask them to close one of their eyes alternatively and view things and analyse if they are able to see clearly. Such small eye tests can also let you know the vision condition of your child.

If you suspect any problem in your child’s eyesight get it tested ASAP and also don’t ignore if prescription glasses are recommended.

Why glasses are better option?

Just the fact that your child has got glasses, there is no need to worry. It is for the betterment of their vision. Early detection and solution will ensure in child’s healthy eyesight. Glasses will help to:

• • Improve eyesight

  • Improve the position of the lenses, in case if they are misaligned

  • Protect any one or both eyes suffering from poor vision

For the first time glass wearers

Since your child will be wearing glasses for the first time, it is your responsibility as a parent to make sure they don’t feel awkward or uncomfortable with eyeglasses.

• First find the rightly fitting glasses frames

• Create a positive experience for them by rewarding them to wear glasses

• Motivate them by saying how cool they look in glasses or how glasses is helpful for them

• More importantly make them realise that it’s not imperfection and make them feel confident

There are many cute and adorable glasses available specially designed for the kids. Go for ideally fitting, good looking glasses, so that your child feels comfortable as well as pretty.

I am a project manager, designer, and photographer currently living in Wellington. I also write technical news & fashion columns for various regional and international online media and blogs. Follow me on twitter @KimmieWatson3.