KG went to the eye doctor the other day. About half-way through the exam, she said, "does he read a lot?"

I was kind of taken aback, because it's not a typical question ... When I answered with an emphatic yes, she said "hmm," finished the exam, and announced he needed reading glasses.

That also surprised me, because KG's dad and I are both nearsighted. She said, though, that it is fairly common for early readers to need reading glasses.

Now, KG's dad is refusing to even keep track of the (adorable) tiny glasses, saying KG doesn't need them and the eye doctor was just trying to sell us glasses. I'd dearly love to come up with some research that would prove him wrong. Has anyone else heard this before?

The Idea seems to hold some water; children are naturally far-sighted, and early readers start to have to focus earlier, for longer, than the average child--and perhaps the eye overcorrects over time? That's the best I can come with!

Maybe there's a reason the stereotypical "gifted kid" has glasses!

I can't believe he's refusing to deal with the glasses. Sheesh. How irresponsible and passive-aggressive/just plain aggressive he's being!

I have no help for you. I'm just annoyed with your ex!

I would go and see another optometrist to begin with.

From what our eye doctor has told us there is absolutely no coorelation between reading early and a lot and glasses.
Ghost is nearsighted. Has been wearing glasses since first grade. Nobody else in family has glasses (yet, he he).
He was an early reader and read tons at night in poor light.
But so did I

This is what I came up with. It does seem like there's a correlation between early reading and glasses, but some of the studies (if I'm reading them correctly) seem to say it's influenced by genetics as well. HTH!

ETA: I am not horribly good at interpreting actual data, so I just scanned the conclusions of the paper.

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=14386592

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18579757

http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/120/5/620

http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:23iCAHODbO0J:www.annals.edu.sg/pdf_1100/tang.pdf+%22near+work%22+OR+nearwork+myopia+children&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us&client=firefox-a

DS 5 just got reading glasses because he will be expected to read smaller print in second grade. But the optometrist said that DS will probably outgrow the need for them in a year or two. Also, DS is only supposed to wear them when he's doing desk work. He's supposed to take them off when playing outside, etc.

Three of my four early readers have glasses, and we are figuring it's just a matter of time before the three year old gets hers. What are we to do? I'm not going to tell them not to read.

My avid reader DD9 got glasses a few months ago for reading. Her optometrist explained that the minor far-sighted problem she has usually goes undiagnosed in children who are not big readers. Children with the problem who like to read complain about the problem; those who don't just do what they can to avoid reading.

It's been ages since I read the data, but what I recall from it was that there was a correlation between nearsightedness and early reading, but not proof of causality. That is, kids who read early were more likely to be nearsighted, but it might be true that nearsighted kids were more likely to be able to read earlier partly because they weren't farsighted.

But just because apparently we can't be normal in anything, DS is farsighted, and was an early reader. He wasn't a voracious early reader though, which could have something to do with the farsightedness... but I figure this gives me license to let him read way too long in poor lighting, in hopes of correcting the farsightedness.

He has had two optometrist checkups in his life (at 7 and at 8, different optometrists) and in both cases they said he was at the oldest end of the range when farsightedness was normal... which makes me wonder just how long they intend to let this go before they want him in glasses and just how come they don't bother correcting it now. Since it hasn't really been an "issue" I'm letting it go, but next year we'll be on to optometrist #3.

I spent a lot of time outside as a kid as well, but my eyes are fine - no glasses.

I still read 4 books a week, but I also spend 1-2 hours outside as well per day.

I think the key is that time outside looking at things at all distances.

Statistics & research are interesting, but they really don't mean anything when it comes to determining if your child needs glasses or not.
If your child's dad does not agree with the doctor, then suggest that dad pay for another doctor's assessment.

Here's me with my OT hat on: Reading requires visual skills of convergence (moving the two eyes to come together and focus on a near point target; aka "going crossed eyed" when done to the extreme) and near acuity. Children are naturally far sighted, sometimes up until 5 years of age, so near acuity is typically not as good. Because most kids aren't reading before 5, the farsightedness is not an issue. But when a farsighted kid reads early then it *IS* an issue. It makes reading difficult and puts a strain on the young eyes.

Convergence also develops over time and is sometimes an issue, called "convergence insufficiency". This means that the eye muscles have difficulty holding that position so that both eyes are focused on the near target. Sometimes younger children with poor muscle development have difficult with this. If the child is reading then the issue is evident and a problem. For the typical child, the convergence insufficiency may not be noticed or problematic until later in school when reading and writing.

I'd say that doctor's comments were perhaps backwards. She seemed to imply that the reading caused the need for glasses, but perhaps it is more likely that the glasses are needed to make reading easier. Glasses for near point vision typically reduce eye strain.

What does KG say when he reads with and without the glasses? Does he notice a difference? Why did you take him to an eye doc in the first place? Was he having problems or just a routine checkup?

I had a three year old that I was treating who I felt needed glasses and sure enough the eye doc agreed. The preschool staff were shocked that the little guy kept his glasses on all day. Of course he did! He needed them and he knew it, even if he couldn't articulate it! And the great thing was that once he got his glasses he all of a sudden could sit at the table and do the fine motor and visual motor stuff that he wouldn't do before!! Imagine that!

I agree with others. If your ex disagrees he should get a second opinion. And if KG says the glasses help, end of discussion. He needs them!

LOL -- KG doesn't say the glasses help; he's too busy wiggling his nose, trying to get used to the feel of them. He's doesn't have a big issue; I think, as you said, they're meant to reduce eye strain for him. Obviously he can read fine without them, but I think you're right -- they'll make it easier for him.

We went to the doctor for a routine checkup; since both ex-h and I are near-sighted, I want to keep up on it with KG. So I just take him for a check-up every year.



This is what I was thinking. I was hoping to find that in a paper somewhere; my ex is a grad student and puts great faith in research. And no, he won't take him to another doctor. He's happy in his head that KG doesn't need glasses and won't listen to another word about it. The way he sees it, the kid reads fine, the end. (I know, I know ... Kriston, you're right -- he's passive-aggressive/agressive/a jerk about 98% of the time.)

Mamaandmore -- thank you! Those are interesting ... Ex-h will probably say, "KG's not a child in Singapore so they aren't valid."

Can I ask one other question of those whose kids have reading glasses, as long as I've got your attention? The eye doctor said they were for reading, computer, homework, etc. Can he keep them on all day at school? Any idea if they'd make it harder for him to read the board? I just can't picture this kid not losing these glasses in two days at school if left to his own devices, putting on, taking off, putting on, etc. Can he put them on in the morning and take them off after school, except for homework?

I suppose I could just call, but I'm lazy.

That's a big issue. DS 8 got glasses last year because he doesn't focus up close. The glasses are for close work only. We asked the question about wearing them for other purposes. Our eye doctor said it won't hurt him to wear them for other than close work, but might not be good for actually being able to see what he needs to see in the distance. We made it that he wears the glasses in his classroom and puts them down when he walks out. It means he isn't wearing them all the times he could be, and he is wearing them times he "shouldn't" but for him, but it makes it a lot easier to manage.

We are going to try having DS keep his glasses case on his desk. When he is doing seatwork or reading he can put them on. If he is going outside, he'll take them off and put them in the case. When it's time to come home, he'll put the case in his backpack. I am doubtful about whether a 5 year old can remember all that, but I'm going to give it a try.

Oh, and I have to get DD to remember to take out and put in her retainer for eating and sports. It's more expensive than the reading glasses!

My dd9 wears her reading glasses most of the day. She keeps an extra case at her desk and takes her glasses off for PE, recess and lunch.

Thanks for the input -- I guess we'll have him do that same sort of thing.