Identifying signs that your child may need glasses is crucial, as untreated vision issues can significantly impact their life.
This point was beautifully illustrated by Dana Dettmer’s 7-month-old daughter, Pita.
Her heartwarming reaction to her first pair of pink glasses has gone viral on TikTok since August 7, accumulating over 6 million views.
In the video, Pita’s initial curiosity turns into a radiant smile as she starts to see those around her more clearly.
Dana informed “Good Morning America” that she saw Pita frequently tilting her head. She mentioned this to the pediatrician, who suggested a chiropractor.
However, after multiple visits without improvement, Dettmer saw an optometrist for further assessment.
“I work for an optometrist, so I mentioned it to him one day, and he thought it was probably wise to have her vision checked as she may be tilting her head to overcompensate for not being able to see as well,” Dana explained.
Dana, who had worn glasses as a baby, decided to follow the optometrist’s advice and have Pita’s vision checked.
The exam confirmed that Pita needed corrective lenses and would benefit from wearing glasses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises parents and caregivers to closely watch their children’s eye health, as a child’s vision can change rapidly during growth and development.
Signs your child might need glasses
Undetected vision problems can affect your child’s school performance and social interactions, according to John Hopkins Medicine.
Understanding eye health is key to identifying if your child needs glasses. Johns Hopkins ophthalmologist Megan Collins, M.D., notes that during the first seven to eight years, a child’s visual system is still developing, and glasses may be needed to support normal development.
Collins also explains that glasses can help improve vision, strengthen a weak or amblyopic eye, correct misalignment, and protect a poorly functioning eye.
Below are several signs that might indicate your child has vision problems and may need glasses:
1. Your child often tilts their head or covers one eye.
If your child frequently covers one eye or tilts their head to improve their vision, it could be a sign of misaligned eyes or amblyopia, commonly called lazy eye. This condition is among the most common eye disorders in children.
2. Excessively rubbing their eyes.
Excessive eye rubbing in your child may indicate eye fatigue or strain. This behavior can point to various vision problems or conditions, including allergic conjunctivitis.
3. Struggling to focus on schoolwork.
Children often need to adjust their focus between distant objects like chalkboards and close ones like textbooks. This adjustment can cause problems concentrating on schoolwork, potentially indicating vision issues.
4. Regular headaches or eye pain.
If your child experiences eye pain or headaches by day’s end, it could result from straining their eyes to try to see more clearly through blurred vision.
5. Squinting.
Squinting may indicate that your child has a refractive error, affecting their focus ability. Squinting might temporarily improve the clarity of what they are looking at.
6. Sitting too close to the TV or holding devices close to their eyes.
Sitting close to the TV, holding devices near the eyes, or lowering the head while reading is one of the signs your child might need glasses. These habits are often related to myopia, where nearby objects are clear, but distant ones are harder to see. Bringing things closer helps improve focus for those with this condition.
Watch this heartwarming moment as Pita sees clearly for the first time:
@danamarie.711 When youre 7 months old and can finally see♥️ #fypage #eyeglasess #baby #fypシ゚viral #ExclusivelyEyecare ♬ Beauty and the Beast (from "Beauty and the Beast") [Instrumental Orchestral Version] – Magic Philharmonic Orchestra
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