At What Age Do Kids Generally Need Glasses

As a parent, you want to make sure that your child is healthy. That’s why you take your child to the doctor yearly for a checkup, the dentist twice yearly for a cleaning, and the eye doctor for an annual vision exam. You might be surprised to hear that your child needs glasses. Is it too young for your child to wear glasses? In actuality, kids of all ages might find that they need to wear glasses for the first time!

Children should have their first visit to the eye doctor starting at a year of age. This helps children get used to going to the eye doctor and provides an optometrist or ophthalmologist with an opportunity to catch potentially serious vision problems. What are some of the most common reasons why kids might need glasses at certain ages?

Some Toddlers May Require Glasses

If your child is still a toddler an you hear that he or she might need glasses, then this could come as a shock. There are two main reasons why toddlers might require glasses. These include:

Amblyopia: Amblyopia is a potentially serious vision issue that impacts toddlers. With this condition, also called a "lazy eye," the brain is only listening to one eye’s visual input. The other eye is virtually being ignored. If the other eye is not used, it might "turn off" permanently, leading to blindness in one eye. Glasses for amblyopia and eye patches (depending on the type of Amblyopia detected) are designed to force the brain to listen to the other eye, making sure it remains “on.”
Crossed or Misaligned Eyes: Another common reason why toddlers might require glasses is due to crossed or misaligned eyes. If it looks like the eyes are pointing in two different directions, then glasses can be used to correct this. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell if toddlers have crossed eyes. Look into your child's eyes and look at the two white "windows" in their pupils. They should be in the same spot in both eyes. If they are not, then the eyes aren't lined up. There are glasses that can correct this.

There are many reasons why toddlers might require glasses, but these are two of the most common.

Most Kids Need Glasses Starting in Elementary or Middle School

Most kids who wear glasses end up getting them during elementary or middle school between 6 and 12. Some of the most common signs that kids might need glasses include dropping grades, recurring headaches, and rubbing the eyes or blinking excessively. Some of the most common conditions that could cause a child to need glasses include:

Myopia: Also called nearsightedness, kids with this condition can see objects that are close but objects that are distant appear blurry
Hyperopia: Otherwise known as farsightedness, causes objects that are distant to appear clear while objects that are close appear blurry
Astigmatism: Some kids might require glasses to correct a unique condition called astigmatism, which causes objects to appear distorted because light does not land on the retina evenly

While kids might end up needing glasses for a large number of reasons, it is vital to stay up to date on annual vision exams. Some kids might not think they need glasses, and other children might be afraid of wearing glasses because they are worried about how their friends might respond. Trained ocular health professionals can talk with kids about their concerns and address them, ensuring that their vision needs are met.

Trust Goggles N More for All of Your Glasses Needs

If you think that your child might need glasses, it is essential to see an eye doctor for an updated vision exam. Then, if you are looking for glasses for your child, take a look at the selection from Goggles N More! We can even help you choose the right frames and lenses and set up your glasses order for you. We offer a broad selection of while saving you money! Reach out to us today with any questions or concerns! We would be happy to help you!