Kids’ Vision: What’s Normal, What’s Not
From birth through the teenager years, learn how vision changes in kids and what common problems can arise.
9
min read
Reviewed on
June 27, 2024
Written by
Katherine Solem
Expert review by
Siddarth Rathi, MD
From birth through the teenager years, learn how vision changes in kids and what common problems can arise.
June 27, 2024
Written by
Katherine Solem
Expert review by
Siddarth Rathi, MD
From birth through the teenager years, learn how vision changes in kids and what common problems can arise.
June 27, 2024
Written by
Katherine Solem
Expert review by
Siddarth Rathi, MD
A lot happens in little bodies. From the moment babies are born, their eyes begin soaking up the world around them. Over the next two decades, their bodies and brains continue growing and developing in remarkable ways. Some changes seem like small steps. Others like huge leaps.
We see them get taller, become more coordinated, and hone their social skills. We may not always think of kids’ vision changing in step with the rest of their development. But, good vision is closely linked to learning and other cognitive skills. That’s why it’s important for children to have their vision checked regularly and any issues addressed early.
Some babies are born with vision problems like cataracts, glaucoma, eye infections, or birth abnormalities. That’s why babies’ eyes are checked at birth. Other issues, like refractive errors (needing vision correction), can appear at any point.
Babies’ eyes grow rapidly during their first two years of life. Like the rest of their body, their eyes get bigger and learn to work together better. The brain also learns how to sort and process all the visual information sent by the eyes.
From 0 to 10 years old, most refractive errors are farsightedness. From 10 to 20 years old, refractive errors are usually nearsightedness. That’s because when the eyeball grows, it doesn’t always grow symmetrically. One axis can grow faster than the other. This can lead to refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Some kids will grow out of these issues as their eyeballs continue to grow.
Interestingly, many kids under 10 are farsighted but it doesn’t affect their vision. That’s because the eye’s lens compensates for it. Eventually, their eyes grow longer, and they outgrow their farsightedness.
By the time they reach their early 20s, kids have largely completed their physical growth, and with it, their vision typically stabilizes.
Nearsightedness, or myopia, means you can see clearly up close, but objects in the distance are blurry. Nearsightedness is the most common vision problem in kids. Farsightedness, or hyperopia, where you can see clearly in the distance but not up close, is much less common in kids.
The following factors contribute to the likelihood that a child will be nearsighted:
Doctors also believe that increased time indoors has contributed to an overall increase in nearsightedness in children. In fact, multiple studies have found that spending just under two hours a day outdoors reduces the likelihood of a child becoming nearsighted. Researchers think that exposure to bright light is the key, but other factors may also be at play.
Some kids will grow out of myopia, depending on the severity of their vision needs and if genetics plays a role. But for most, prescription glasses (or contact lenses for older kids) are necessary to help your child see well again. Fun and colorful frames and kid-friendly materials, like shatter-resistant lenses and loop straps to hold the glasses in place, make it easier and safer for kids to wear them.
(Check out our full selection of kid-friendly glasses. Plus, get tips for picking the right eyeglasses for your child.)
Also known as “lazy eye,” amblyopia is when one eye sees better than the other. This happens due to a breakdown in how the brain and eyes communicate. The brain doesn’t recognize vision from one eye. Instead, it begins to rely more and more on the vision from the stronger eye. This leads to worsening vision in the weaker eye. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss in the weaker eye.
Doctors don’t always know why amblyopia happens. In some cases, it occurs because another vision problem affects one of the eyes, making vision in that eye worse. This leads to the brain relying on the stronger eye. Vision problems that can lead to amblyopia are refractive errors (nearsightedness and farsightedness), strabismus (crossed eye), and cataracts.
Treatment for amblyopia includes:
Strabismus, or “crossed eyes,” is when the eyes don’t move in the exact same direction at the same time. This causes two different images to be sent to the brain. The brain learns to suppress one of these images and only focuses on the other. Over time, this can lead to a deterioration of vision in the “ignored” eye, or amblyopia.
Strabismus happens when the muscles controlling the eyes don’t work together. Doctors usually don’t know why children have strabismus.
Treatment for strabismus can include:
Vision problems in babies and toddlers are usually noticed by their parents or caregivers or caught during a routine doctor’s visit.
In school-aged kids, vision issues are often detected at school. The teacher may notice that your student has trouble reading or seeing the board. Poor eyesight often comes out in behavioral issues like being bored or not doing well in school. Vision problems are also often detected during school vision screenings or at routine pediatric checkups.
Vision screenings are commonly performed at well-child checkups. If a problem is detected, your child will be referred to an eye specialist. Here’s how often your child should be screened according to the American Academy of Pediatrics:
While many issues can’t be prevented, there are a few steps you can take to foster healthy eyesight in children:
If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, contact your pediatrician right away. They’ll refer you to an eye doctor for further exams and testing as needed.
And if your child needs glasses, shop XP Health’s affordable and durable frames with best-in-class lenses.
