When it comes to your child’s eye care, it is important to
separate fact from fiction. Here we debunk a few of the most common
misconceptions.
Myth #1: Children cannot have an eye examination until they
can talk or read
An optometrist will have special equipment that allows them
to check the visual ability of a child without requiring any feedback from the
child at all. In addition to vision, evaluating and monitoring the health of a
child’s eyes is also important. In fact, it is essential to check children’s
vision when they are first born and again during infancy, preschool and school
years. Screening can be performed by a pediatrician, family physician or other
properly trained health care providers.
Myth #2: Using glasses or contact lenses will weaken your
child’s eyesight
Wearing corrective glasses or contact lenses will not make
your child’s eyesight worse. Science has shown that not wearing spectacles does
not work to control or prevent progression of myopia. In some cases, it might
actually worsen myopia due to the increased accommodation your eyes have to go
through without spectacles.
Myth #3: Eyesight is inherited, so there’s nothing you can
do to prevent vision loss
If one parent wears glasses, the odds are at least one of
their children will eventually need to as well. While it is inheritable, it
doesn’t mean all of your children will be affected. The environment that they
are in also plays a factor. Parents too can play a part. Taking regular breaks
at work and spending time outdoor with their children will help to slow down
the degree of vision loss.
If your child faces any prolonged eye discomfort, seek the
opinion of a doctor.
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact us at 400-819-6622.
Article reviewed by Dr. Peng Zhou, Ophthalmologist at
ParkwayHealth.
Copyright: Health Plus an online health and wellness web resource developed by Parkway Singapore
References:
- Myths About Your Eyes and Vision. Retrieved 12/06/2019 from https://www.webmd.com/eye-
health/fact-fiction-myths-about-eyes#1
- Common Eye Myths. Retrieved 12/06/2019 from
https://nationalcenter.preventblindness.org/common-eye-myths
- Debunking 7 Eyesight Myths. Retrieved 12/06/2019 from
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/252/debunking_7_eyesight_myths
- Eye Screening for Children. Retrieved 10/07/2019 from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/children-eye-screening
