Children's glasses are generally needed when children have vision problems. However, choosing glasses for children cannot be done carelessly. Know how to choose the right glasses for children so that children are more comfortable with activities and learning.
Not all children can convey the vision problems they experience. In fact, visual disturbances in children that are not detected can affect their activities, both while studying and playing.
Moreover, the visual system in children is still developing during the first 7 years of life. In some cases, children's vision problems can be overcome with the use of children's glasses.
Therefore, parents must be more careful in observing their child's movements which can be signs of vision problems.
The Importance of Using Children's Glasses
The preschool period is a time when vision problems in children are detected. The following are some of the common vision problems experienced by children:
- Lazy eye (amblyopia), which is poor vision in the normal-looking eye
- Crossed eyes (strabismus), which is an eye condition that is not parallel and is characterized by both eyes not always pointing at the same object
- Refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism or astigmatism
If you have eye problems above, your child must get special treatment or use children's glasses according to a doctor's prescription.
The use of children's glasses is very important in some cases of eye disorders in children. There are several benefits of children's glasses, including:
- Improve the ability to see
- Strengthens vision in lazy eye conditions
- Correct the position of the eyes in squinted eyes
- Provides protection if one eye has poor eyesight
Therefore, it is important for children to have regular eye health checks to monitor the condition and function of the eyes and detect vision problems at an early stage.
Signs Your Child Needs Glasses
The best way to tell if your child needs glasses is to take them to the eye doctor regularly. However, there are some signs that your child has visual impairment, including:
- Choose to sit or stand very close when watching TV
- Bringing the book close to his face while reading
- Rubbing your eyes constantly, even though you're not tired
- Experiencing watery eyes
- Squinting when reading or watching TV
- Have difficulty reading and writing
- Sudden headaches or eye pain
- Having trouble concentrating at school so that his academic development is delayed
When you see the signs above, immediately consult an ophthalmologist. The doctor will determine the appropriate treatment and prescription for glasses according to your child's eye condition.
How to Choose and Introduce Children's Glasses
At first it may be difficult to convince your little one to wear glasses. However, you can't just go along with it.
There are several tips so that your little one gets used to wearing children's glasses, including:
1. Explain the importance of wearing children's glasses
You can tell your little one that by wearing your child's glasses, he or she can see things more clearly so they can play and move more comfortably and freely.
2. Give the glasses according to the doctor's prescription
Make sure you give the glasses according to the doctor's prescription. If your little one's eyesight is still uncomfortable when wearing glasses, check with an ophthalmologist again.
3. Choose an attractive frame
So that your little one is more interested in using glasses, choose children's glasses with attractive frames, for example frames with their favorite colors. However, make sure the size of the frame is right and fits your little one's face and is comfortable to wear.
4. Set a schedule for wearing glasses
When you first introduce glasses to your little one, you don't have to force him to wear glasses all day long. Start slowly, such as wearing glasses while reading or watching TV.
Next, increase the duration of use little by little until your little one gets used to wearing glasses. After your little one gets used to it, tell him when it's time to take off and put on his glasses.
5. Give the child's glasses with more protection
If your little one likes to do sports, give them special children's glasses for sports. These children's glasses are made so that children's eyes are protected from all kinds of impacts that can cause injury.
When your little one is already wearing children's glasses, it is very important to check the health condition of his eyes regularly to the eye doctor. Thus, the eye health of children is maintained and their achievement in school is not disturbed.
