Children and Eyeglasses

Ask an Eye M.D. Answer Archive

Question:
If my 10-year-old doesn't wear his glasses, will the strain of not wearing them make his eyes worsen more quickly than normal?

Answer:
No, generally not, but his vision may not be as sharp as it would be if he were to wear his glasses. Exceptions exist and it is best to discuss this concern with your Eye M.D. For a younger child, on the other hand, not wearing glasses can lead to serious problems in some situations. For example, if a child has been given a prescription for glasses to treat amblyopia and/or strabismus (lazy eye), the problem can get worse if the child is not wearing the glasses.

Answered by: David K. Coats, MD

Categories: Children's Eye Health, Vision Correction

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