How to Determine if Your Child Needs Pediatric Eyeglasses

Do you have a child who is experiencing vision problems? If they can't see the chalkboard or have difficulties walking down hallways at school, it's important to bring them in for a pediatric eye exam from our eye doctor at Eye & Contact Lens Center in Kirkland, WA.

Finding Out if Your Child Needs Glasses

There are some signs that you're likely to notice, indicating that there may be a problem with your child's vision:

• Squinting when trying to read or focus on something.

• Holding a book too close.

• Sitting up closer to a television or computer screen.

• Difficulty in school, hindering their ability to complete worksheets or other classwork.

A simple pediatric eye exam from an optometrist in the Kirkland, WA area will determine if your child needs to wear corrective vision glasses. They may have issues with seeing things up close, or they may experience issues with seeing things farther away, which is known as myopia. A child who is too young to identify letters may have a chart with pictures instead of the traditional chart.

Getting a Child Used to Eyeglasses

The pediatric eye exam is over, and their eye doctor says that they'll benefit from wearing glasses. Great, but how do you get your child on board with the idea? They may be stubborn at first, uncomfortable with how their eyeglasses feel, or not like how they look. They may also be nervous about what their friends will think now that they're wearing glasses.

Today, many more people openly wear glasses. If you wear them, you can point this out and talk about your own experiences discovering that you needed them and how you felt wearing them. It's alright to discuss some negative aspects as long as you bring the conversation back to how much glasses will help them in their daily life.

Choosing the Right Eyeglass Frames

It's a good idea to let your child pick out their own frames for their glasses, regardless of their age. Of course, younger children will need more guidance and be given a few choices to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed or losing interest quickly. There are more options than ever when it comes to frames. They come in a variety of shapes, materials, and colors. You can turn this process into a fun family outing and help your child feel more independent, even if you ultimately make the final decision.

Contact Eye & Contact Lens Center in Kirkland, WA

Dr. Golitz at Eye & Contact Lens Center in Kirkland is here to assist you with vision exams, myopia, treatment for various conditions such as cataracts and dry eye, and surgery, among other things. Reach out to us today at (425) 822-8204 to learn more and make an appointment to see an optometrist.