Children are prescribed eyeglasses for many reasons. Here are some of them.
- The child may have a refractive error in its eyes, which renders it unable to focus correctly.
- To correct a squint.
- To relieve symptoms such as headaches and eyestrain.
When the eye is not able to focus light properly, it is said to have a refractive error. This often leads to a loss in visual acuity. Refractive errors are of two types: spherical errors such as Myopia and Hyperopia, as well as cylindrical errors such as Astigmatism and Presbyopia.
Children who are seven years or younger should wear prescription glasses full time. This is a critical age for visual development. If you do not take steps to correct your child’s refractive errors in this period or if there is poor compliance with the treatment, its vision may be permanently reduced.
Did you know that the muscles that turn the eye inwards are connected to muscles that cause the eye to focus? In small children, long sightedness can cause the development of a squint, especially when the child is trying to see clearly at a close range. When glasses are worn, the muscles of the eyes relax. The child’s vision will then develop normally.
If a child’s long sightedness is corrected on time, the child may be able to do without eyeglasses after it crosses the age of 10 years. Myopia has a tendency to worsen with age. The child may have to wear glasses continuously in this case. If the child has a squint, glasses may be required to improve it, especially when surgery is ruled out.
