My Child Has Astigmatism, Hyperopia, or Myopia – Do They Need Glasses?

As a parent, it can be concerning to hear that your child has a vision issue like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. What do these terms mean? Will they affect your child’s development? And at what point should your child begin wearing glasses?

At Penshurst Eyecare, we aim to help you understand your child’s vision and guide you with evidence-based advice to support healthy visual development.

👁️ What Do These Eye Conditions Mean?

Myopia (Short-Sightedness)

Myopia occurs when the eye is longer than normal, causing light to focus in front of the retina. This makes distance vision blurry, while near vision remains clear. Myopia often starts in primary school and can worsen as the eye grows.

Signs of myopia:

• Squinting to see the whiteboard

• Sitting too close to the TV or holding books very close

• Eye rubbing or frequent blinking

When to consider glasses:If your child is having difficulty seeing at a distance, glasses are recommended. Importantly, myopia tends to worsen over time, so early intervention is crucial. 

Management tip: We strongly recommend considering myopia control lenses, such as MiYOSMART or Stellest lenses, which are clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia by altering peripheral defocus. Other options include orthokeratology (night lenses) or low-dose atropine drops, depending on your child’s age and lifestyle.

Hyperopia (Long-Sightedness)

Hyperopia means the eye is shorter than normal, causing light to focus behind the retina. Children with mild hyperopia often compensate naturally, but higher levels can cause eye strain and blur, especially for close-up tasks.

Signs of hyperopia:

• Headaches or fatigue after reading

• Avoiding books or screens

• One eye turning inward (a sign of accommodative esotropia)

When to consider glasses:

• Moderate to high hyperopia can affect both near and distance vision and should be corrected.

• If there’s a risk of lazy eye (amblyopia) or eye turn (strabismus), early glasses are essential to support proper visual development.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the eye’s surface is irregularly curved, resulting in blurred or distorted vision at all distances.

Signs of astigmatism:

• Blurred or shadowed letters when reading

• Complaints of double vision

• Frequent headaches or eye rubbing

When to consider glasses: If astigmatism is moderate or causing symptoms, glasses will significantly improve clarity and comfort. In young children, uncorrected astigmatism can interfere with vision development and may lead to amblyopia.

📚 How Does Poor Vision Affect Learning?

Good vision is essential for reading, writing, hand–eye coordination, and classroom performance. If your child is struggling to concentrate, avoiding schoolwork, or showing signs of fatigue, undetected vision problems could be a contributing factor.

🧠 When Should Children Start Wearing Glasses?

Your optometrist will recommend glasses if:

• The prescription is significant enough to impact learning, focus, or comfort

• There's a risk of amblyopia or eye turn

• Myopia is progressing and requires early intervention

• Visual symptoms are affecting daily activities

Every child is different. Some may not need glasses immediately and can be monitored. Others benefit greatly from early correction.

👨‍⚕️ How We Can Help

At Penshurst Eyecare, we provide:

• Comprehensive, child-friendly eye exams

• Clear explanations of your child’s prescription

• Personalised treatment plans, including glasses, myopia control, or monitoring

• A caring, professional environment designed to make vision care easy for families

📅 Book a children’s eye test today to get expert advice and support for your child’s vision needs.