Astigmatism - kindergartener won't wear glasses

My kindergartner has been diagnosed with an astigmatism. She usually wears her glasses with no problem, but sometimes, when she really should be wearing them, she just refuses, saying she can see ''just fine''.

The research I have done indicates that with this condition, what she sees, without her glasses, is fuzzy even blurry.

I understand that somtimes she does not want to wear them and I do not want to be awful about it such that she never wants to wear them.......but if she is seeing the world as blurry, I guess I will have to become a nag.

If you have this condition, please share with me what it is like. If you have a child with glasses, please share your techniques for pursuading them to wear their glasses without becoming a ogre. Wants her to see clearly

Having said that, here are the facts about astigmatism: Unless nearsightedness, astigmatism ''smears'' your vision. This is especially problematic when reading. An E may look more like a B or a P, for example, because the image is smeared. Makes learning to read more difficult. However, for some types of astigmatism, running and playing outside is no big deal, and a child sees more than well enough to do these tasks. So, it all depends on the Rx--ask the doc.

As for how to get them to wear the glasses, it's easier said than done, but I'd consider them like clothing. Are you allowed to go out without your clothes? No. Period. Or, you can think of them like medicine. Will her vision deteriorate without them? Quite possibly so because she is YOUNG. For an adult, not wearing glasses is no big deal because your brain is already set and won't undo its connections. For a child whose vision is still developing at age 5 or 6, it is a problem.

The trick is not to get in a power struggle over them. Glasses off? In time out until they go back on. No drama, no fuss. Just plain and simple. And, if she wants a break from them, go sit in time out for a bit. No problem. Time out, the shower, and in bed are where no-glasses is OK.

But, again, it depends on the Rx. If her Rx is very mild, then you may not have to be so strict about it, but then again, being strict for a bit can get her in a habit, and then you don't have to worry anymore. Optometrist mom who has a son with glasses

Not necessarily. Astigmatism, like myopia/shortsightedness, comes in degrees. I've lived with both for years, and I would have no qualms, for example, playing soccer without my contacts or even driving in an emergency. The sight is fuzzy and blurry, but that doesn't mean I can't see what needs to be seen.

What's not clear is what you mean by ''when she really should be wearing'' her glasses or what you're basing that opinion on. If she's in school and needs to see the blackboard, well, yes. Playing T-ball or catch, probably. Playing four-square or riding a bike, maybe not.

I have heard of friends' children who, once they get glasses, never want to take them off, because they help them see so well. These kids definitely need glasses.

Perhaps you child does not want to wear them all the time (or at all?) because they don't help her much. Despite your research findings, she may not be seeing the world as blurry. It would be difficult for you to tell. When vision is not that far off normal, wearing glasses is more distracting than it is helpful. Her behavior may be telling you this. YOu could always get a 2nd opinion. If you haven't tried the US optometry clinic - the part especially for kids - you could try an appointment there. Far seeing parent

Of course, if she needs glasses to see the blackboard or to read, she should wear them at that time. But not every waking hour! Certainly they're not necessary on the playground or when not in school.

It turns out glasses are a great revenue generator for optometrists, so studies such as the ones I mention are not well-publicized. Nevertheless, there is a lot more nearsightedness in populations where glasses in childhood are common. Please don't force your child to wear glasses. If the blurriness makes her uncomfortable, she will choose to wear them. If not, please don't risk making her eyes worse. Artificially produced myope

I'd like to see the previous poster respond to this post and cite these studies. If glasses caused myopia, how would anyone become myopic without first wearing glasses? If glasses cause the progression of myopia, then how come children who have poor access to healthcare progress in their myopia without benefit of glasses?

The notion that glasses cause myopia has been proved incorrect many times by many different studies. I would refer the reader to the Orinda study as well as BIBS study for some reading and education. Optometrist

And, my final word will be that if the original poster's child was less than 6 then glasses are imperative to insure proper visual and behavioral development. Optometrist

Our 5 1/2 yr daughter has an astigmatism

We have just found out my 5 1/2 yr daughter has an astigmatism. Does anyone know if this means she will need to wear glasses for sure? Whta have been other people's experience with this? Thank you

I was freaked out that I was going to have to wear glasses- I didn't like the idea of being dependent on them. But one of my clearest childhood memories is of coming out of the optician's office and being able to see again. It was winter and the tree branches were bare and I could see their crisp detail with a thin coating of ice. It was wonderful.

Wearing glasses isn't so bad, and not being able to see clearly is. Besides, they make adorable kid's glasses now as opposed to the grim things I had to wear way back then! Cece

A pediatric optometrist and mom