Can My Child Outgrow Astigmatism?
You want your child to be able to play safely, have fun with peers, and do well in school/learning. If anything stands in the way of your child’s happiness and success, you will do whatever is necessary to fix the problem. It is important to take care of your child’s eyes so they can see clearly and thrive. There are a few common vision problems that you should be aware of, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Astigmatism can make it really hard for kids to see well. If left untreated, astigmatism can cause physical issues and make it hard for your child to play safely, socialize, and learn in school. If your child has astigmatism, you may have a lot of questions like, what is astigmatism? What are the signs and symptoms of astigmatism? Can my child outgrow astigmatism? What caused my child’s astigmatism? How do I treat my kid’s astigmatism?
Here is everything you need to know about astigmatism in children.
What is astigmatism in children?
Astigmatism is a very common vision problem in which the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) or the lens in the eye is “out of round’ or slightly warped. When light rays come into an eye with astigmatism, the light rays change shape and direction, causing vision to be blurry. Astigmatism is called a “refractive error” because it is a problem with the way light comes into, or “refracts,” inside the eye. The imperfection in the shape of the eye causes blurred vision both up close and far away because the eyes struggle to focus. When a child has astigmatism, their vision may be blurry and distorted, and they may suffer from eyestrain and headaches. In children, astigmatism can be hard to diagnose because kids often do not know that the blurriness they see is not normal.
What are the signs and symptoms of astigmatism?
With kids, it can be difficult to know what is bothering them because they are not always able to say how they feel or notice something is wrong. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of astigmatism that you can look out for:
Frequent headaches
Learning Difficulties
Eye strain, especially after reading or looking at toys/screens up close
Squinting or closing their eyes a lot
Tilting and turning their head to see better
Closing one eye to read, watch TV, or look at toys
If your child shows any of these signs or symptoms, schedule a visit with an eye doctor who treats children/teens.
Can a child outgrow astigmatism?
It is possible for a child’s astigmatism to change over time. Astigmatism can decrease, increase, or stay the same as a child grows. An eye exam when young can determine if there is a risk of astigmatism affecting the way you see. Annual eye care will determine if astigmatism is changing and what to do about it.
Causes of Astigmatism in Children
The genes a child inherits from their parents contributes to astigmatism. Growth and development can also contribute to astigmatism. Sometimes astigmatism can develop after eye surgery, an eye injury, or eye disease.
Astigmatism Treatment for Children
Astigmatism can be treated with prescription glasses, contacts, or eye surgery. Not all kids with astigmatism need glasses, but many do. If your child needs glasses to correct astigmatism, it is very important that they have the correct prescription and actually wear the glasses. If serious astigmatism is not properly treated, it can lead to other problems. Routine eye exams are a great way to ensure your child’s eyes and overall health stay in the best shape.
We are leaders in providing high-quality and compassionate dental, orthodontic, and vision services. Help your kids thrive with regular eye exams. Visit our Vision Services page to learn more about vision care for children, and book an appointment at a convenient location near you.
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