Astigmatism in children

My daughter 5 years old has been diagnosed with right eye CYL -2.25, Axis 175, left eye CYL -2.50 Axis 175 and i have the following question:
1 Must she wear glasses
2 Will her condition improve over time as she grows
3 Will her condition worsen if she don't wear glass
4 What can we do to help her improve her condition

Thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. If she doesn't her vision may not develop to its fullest and she may be going around with sub-normal vision.
2. Sometimes yes sometimes no
3. The glasses will have no effect on the astigmatism which comes from a aspheric cornea but see answer 1.
4. If she is not seeing an Eye MD ophthalmologist take her to see her. Non-MD, non-physician optometrists (have a OD degree after name) prescribe glasses 2-3 times more often than Eye MD physician ophthalmologists. Find an Eye MD near you at www.aao.org

JCH MD