Is +0.50 and +0.75 a reason to get reading glasses for a 7.5 year old?

Hello,

I am reading conflicting information regarding eyeglass in young children.  My daughter was recently given an eye exam at an optomitrist.  He said she had a very small prescription of +0.50 in one eye and the other had +0.75.  She has a asitmatism in both eyes of -0.50.

I have read somewhere that all children have farsideness and eventually grow out of it.  Is this true?  Would I be benefiting her not letting her have glasses??  Or is it better to let her wear them??

The Dr said she could get them or not get them.  And she could wear them for reading or all day long.  I thought that was kind of strange.  Isn't +0.50 for seeing close only??

I guess I need to follow up with her optomistrist and maybe get a 2nd opinion as well.

Thank you.

Susan

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

Advice "you can get them or you can not get them" is no advice at all.  At her age if she has no eye muscle problems, good visual acuity and is doing well "no glasses at all" is likely the true answer.

My advise would be to go to an ophthalmologist, a pediatric ophthalmologist if possible, for a second opinion. It's likely she does not need the glasses but a Eye MD eye exam and interview with you and her is needed to say for sure. If you live in the USA go to www.aao.org to find one near you or ask your pediatrician or family MD to refer you.

JCH MD