Error of refraction in a child
Refractive errors are common in children. A myopic eye sees less in distance, a hypermetropic eye sees less in near, and an astigmatic eye may see objects distorted. A child, however, needs to wear the prescribed spectacles constantly, both for distance and near use.
Because of the strong power of accommodation (shifting from distance to near use of eyes) in children, refraction test in children is done on dilated pupils, and it takes an extra visit to the eye doctor’s clinic. Prescribing of glasses for children also calls for extra care, and in some cases rather than full correction being prescribed in one go, it is increased in increments so as to ensure comfortable wearing of glasses.
Parents are naturally worried about the changing power of spectacles on almost every yearly (or half-yearly in some cases) visit to the clinic. But slight increase in number with body growth is normal, and not that alarming. If there is abnormal change in power, however, then there is need for further investigation.
There is no formula to stop the progression of a refractive error except that balanced diet does help towards the overall health of the body, of which the eyes are also a part. But, at the same time, not going in for a change in the power of spectacles, as prescribed by the eye doctor, may lead to less than optimum vision and eye-strain.
This is not a rule though that the number of spectacles will always increase; in some cases there may well be even reduction in number (notably in hypermetropia). And the best advice would be for any parent to go by the Rx of your eye doctor for your child at the time of periodic (usually yearly) eye examination.
Dr. Narendra Kumar
Because of the strong power of accommodation (shifting from distance to near use of eyes) in children, refraction test in children is done on dilated pupils, and it takes an extra visit to the eye doctor’s clinic. Prescribing of glasses for children also calls for extra care, and in some cases rather than full correction being prescribed in one go, it is increased in increments so as to ensure comfortable wearing of glasses.
Parents are naturally worried about the changing power of spectacles on almost every yearly (or half-yearly in some cases) visit to the clinic. But slight increase in number with body growth is normal, and not that alarming. If there is abnormal change in power, however, then there is need for further investigation.
There is no formula to stop the progression of a refractive error except that balanced diet does help towards the overall health of the body, of which the eyes are also a part. But, at the same time, not going in for a change in the power of spectacles, as prescribed by the eye doctor, may lead to less than optimum vision and eye-strain.
This is not a rule though that the number of spectacles will always increase; in some cases there may well be even reduction in number (notably in hypermetropia). And the best advice would be for any parent to go by the Rx of your eye doctor for your child at the time of periodic (usually yearly) eye examination.
Dr. Narendra Kumar
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Dear Sir, Good information that you have shared above. I have a question: My son who is premature born & suffering from Hypermetropia( Hope I am right), has the refractive defect. Initially in childhood, number of his glasses was +7.0/+7.5, which now is reduced to +5.0/+5.5. He is aged 20 yrs now. I have been thinking of going for a lasik surgery for him, as I was advised to go for this surgery after he is 20 years of age( so that his eyeball grows fully before surgery). Please share your knowledge on the subject, if it would be right decision and what good can this surgery do to him? Regards
Apr 21
Dear Sir, I took my 5 year old for eye examination over the weekend. They conducted tests as under 1 : Looking at an image inside an instrument (sorry not aware of the technical jargon), 2: made him read alphabets 3: Preliminary examination by Dr. before dilation of pupils 4 : Round 2 of Looking at an image inside an instrument after dilation 5 Followed by further examination by Dr. using a Lens - i guess to check the retina. We have been asked to re-visit to confirm the Need for Spectacles. Is this standard method of testing & wht tests will be conducted on this upcoming visit. Pls advise thanking you
Apr 21
