Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions received by our service

How does the optician know my child needs glasses?

When the pupil of the eye is enlarged/dilated, the optician has a good view of the back of the eye.  By moving a line of light across the back of the eye they are able to judge what strength glasses are needed.

 

 

Will my child always need glasses?

This will depend on the age of the child, the strength of the glasses and whether they are also needed as part of the treatment for a squint or a lazy eye.  Your Orthoptist will be able to give you an answer.

 

 

Should my child wear glasses all day?

In the majority of cases – yes.

 

If not then the optician or the Orthoptist will tell you.

 

 

My child says that they can see better without glasses

This is a common complaint in the early days of glasses wear.

 

Your child has been struggling with reduced vision for some time and now the brain and eyes have to learn to work with the glasses and adapt to clearer vision.

 

This can take some time but please persevere – it is a very important stage of the treatment.

 

 

The glasses look very strong/ I can’t see through them

If you do not wear glasses or your glasses are for a different condition then your child’s glasses may look very odd to you.

 

We prescribe glasses that will help your child achieve the best vision possible.

 

 

What is long sight?

This is caused by the eye being optically too small so that the rays of light entering the eye focus behind the retina instead of on it.  

 

The child may have reduced vision for both near and distance.

 

 

What is short sight?

This is caused by the eye being optically too big so that the rays of light entering the eye focus in front of the retina instead of on it.

 

The child usually has reduced vision for distance, however sometimes near vision can be affected too.

 

 

What is astigmatism?

In addition to your child being long or short sighted they may have a ‘rugby ball’ shaped eye.

 

This will affect your child’s vision even further.

 

 

What is a lazy eye?

Also called amblyopia – it occurs when the sight of one or both eyes is underdeveloped causing reduced vision.  The commonest causes are a squint or anisometropic amblyopia – details on previous page.

 

 

Will a lazy eye get better on it’s own?

No.  If left untreated the child may have permanently damaged sight which cannot be corrected when older.

 

 

Will my child grow out of a squint?

No.  Although, some squints can improve with age.

 

 

Are all squints the same?

No.  There are many types of squint and therefore many types of treatment, some being more suitable for certain types of squint.  No two squints should be compared.

 

 

Will my child need treatment for their squint?

If there is a ‘lazy eye’ then patching will be offered to promote the vision in that eye. 

 

This needs to be well underway by the time the child is 7.

 

Some squints improve just by wearing glasses.

 

Some squints may need correcting surgically.