Signs your child may need glasses
- Sitting very close to the TV or holding books and phones close
- Squinting, frowning or tilting the head to see
- Rubbing the eyes often or complaining of headaches
- Copying from the board is hard; marks drop
- One eye turning in or out
Outdoor play protects the eyes
Children who spend 1 to 2 hours outdoors in daylight every day are less likely to become short-sighted. Daylight and looking far away both help. Play in the park, terrace or school ground counts.
Screen time
- Under 2 years: no screens except video calls.
- 2 to 5 years: up to 1 hour a day, with an adult.
- Older children: keep breaks every 20 minutes and no screens in the hour before bed.
- Use a TV or laptop rather than a small phone held close to the face.
When to test
Get a first eye test before your child starts school, then once a year. If your child wears glasses, test every 6 months, as children's power can change quickly.
Do
- 1 to 2 hours of outdoor play daily
- Yearly eye test (6-monthly with glasses)
- Big screen at a distance
- Shatter-proof lenses for kids
Don't
- Phones held close to the face for hours
- Screens in the hour before sleep
- Wait for the child to complain
- Skip wearing the prescribed glasses
Questions
Will wearing glasses make my child's eyes weaker?
No. Glasses do not make eyes weaker. Not wearing the prescribed glasses can cause strain, poor school work and, in some cases, a lazy eye.
Can myopia in children be slowed down?
Yes. Outdoor time, less close-up screen use and special myopia-control lenses can slow it down. Ask our optometrist which option suits your child.
General information from the optometrists at LenzKare Optical & Eye Clinic, Arumbakkam, Chennai. It does not replace an eye examination. For sudden changes in vision, see an eye doctor the same day.