From the time, I was almost 8 years old and in need of my first pair of glasses, I became we’ll versed in eye glass needs.
My very first pair of glasses was a little pair of pink glasses with Lucy from Peanuts on the side of the arms of the glasses.
Oh how I loved them so. Even though nowadays they would be considered out of date and definitely not in fashion. It all started for me with my second grade teacher telling my parents at a parent teacher conference that I was having trouble seeing the black board and even squinting to see it.
Many years of eye exams, glasses, contacts later and finally for my 22 birthday, my grandparents gifted me with LASIK surgery to correct my very bad near sighted vision. See at this point, I had 20/500 vision in both eyes and could not see the alarm clock less then 2 feet away from me on my night table clearly without my glasses when I would wake in the morning.
The LASIK left me with 20/20 vision in both eyes and no longer in need for glasses. But then, I met Kevin who also had poor vision being near sighted. He still wore glasses and actually still does.
So from all of my own, as well as my husband’s, vision issues over the years, we more then know and embrace the importance of regular eye tests for us and our family. At Emma’s 4 year old checkup, she had her vision tested and right now has 20/20 vision. And Lily right now also seems to have 20/20 vision, too.
But children, in general, are energetic and seemingly invincible, toughing out skinned knees, loose teeth, chicken pox and other childhood health issues without so much as a blink. With this sort of resilience, eye health can be neglected or overlooked entirely, as the effects of eye damage or vision problems in young people often depend entirely on children themselves speaking up about them. Eye exams give parents the ability to detect issues before they impact short term things like schoolwork – children that have trouble seeing the board often struggle with tests and homework on that material – or long term vision complications through adulthood.
Help In Healing Vision
A bit of blurriness, squinting here and there – these things may not seem like a big deal in the moment, but inside your child’s eyes, their ocular muscles, tendons and nerve centres are working very hard to compensate for the problem. This can lead to stress on components such as the retina during crucial growth years, leaving the eyes more vulnerable to additional vision and health issues as your child ages. Even if your child is reluctant to admit to the fact that they’re having trouble seeing clearly, don’t let their concern over new glasses looking “uncool” sway you from advocating for their vision health. Simply remind them that there are loads of stylish prescription glasses to choose from, and that getting their eyes checked and vision adjusted – if necessary – is a lot more “cool” than struggling with sight issues as an adult.
More Than You Can See
While checkups naturally focus on determining the need for a pair of prescription glasses, they are also an excellent way to spot other “red flags” when it comes to health problems. As Doctor Sanjay Gupta discussed with Piers Morgan on CNN’s health website, there has been discussion in the medical community about the use of eye scans to support diagnosis of diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, or MS. Routine family eye exams also help spot diabetic complications and help serve as indicators of a great deal of other diseases, such as high blood pressure, cancer and even some rare forms of arthritis as children grow into their teenage years and beyond.
Save The Date
Much like dentistry or physical checkups, vision assessments are most helpful when they’re scheduled annually, as opposed to reactively when a problem pops up. Many especially difficult non-trauma eye issues are easy to detect and mitigate if they’re caught early, so don’t wait until symptoms progress to encourage your children to care for their eyes. Once they’ve been given the all-clear or fitted with a pair of prescription glasses by an optician, you’ll both be able to breathe a sigh of relief and look towards a brighter future of eye health.
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katbiggie says
Couldn't agree more! I've been so lucky with my vision, but I don't want to miss something that could be potentially fixed by early detection!
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Janine Huldie says
I know exactly what you mean Alexa and scary to think that early detection could make all the difference with ones eyes.
massholemommy says
i wear glasses and if my kids didn't have vision testing (which is done at their well visits and yearly in school), we wouldn't have known my oldest son needed glasses, too.
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Janine Huldie says
Robin, both Kevin and I have worn glasses, so I do believe one or both of our kids will be effected by this at some point. So, vision tests are so important here, too.
pfchico says
I never had to wear glasses but both my parents did. My mother & sister both had Lasik because their eyes were so bad. I hope Mai doesn't have to worry about this, but we will definitely have to test her because so many in our family have such bad eye sight.
Janine Huldie says
We just had a vision and hearing check for my oldest at her 4 year old checkup. From my understanding this is the first year that they offer a through checkup for both. It seems like the 3 to 4 year old checkups differ in this and a few other ways too here. She passed right now on both with flying colors, but will be doing it yearly to make sure that it stays this way for Emma and also for Lily as she will be starting these checkups at 4 later in the year, too because of all our inherited family vision issues, too.
another jennifer says
I haven't had vision problems but everyone else in my family does. Our ped suggested taking my oldest son for a more detailed eye check just in case. I imagine it's better to address problems sooner than later!
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Janine Huldie says
I totally agree and think it is better to deal with sooner rather then later, too.
ginnymarie says
I got glasses when I was in second grade, too! I feel so blessed that my girls don't have my poor vision.
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Janine Huldie says
Then I know you totally get this and understand when I say that I am so hoping that my girls don't get my poor vision either and have my fingers crossed for them on this one, too.
sara says
Yesterday I was reading your post and just felt like we were the same person with your love of Easter shoes. I loved getting new white shoes each year. Now reading today's post I a!so had glasses in 2nd grade and mine looked very similar to yours. LASIK was the best decision I ever made!!! Collin has had his vision tested at the doctors office and so far so good but I agree with this post that frequent tests are important.
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Janine Huldie says
I think we definitely have a ton in common and love that we do. Seriously, this is why I truly loved reading your blog and seriously I miss you, but understand why you are no longer blogging. Seriously though so important to be tested early and as often as they can be and hoping my girls too never have my poor vision.
pictimilitude says
Just stopping by to say hi. 🙂 All this coursework and teaching…I'm completely swamped. But I think of you and your wonderful blog often. I hope all is well and good advice about the eye stuff. I wear glasses because I'm blind in my right eye – since birth. I'm doomed to wear them my entire life, but at least there are a lot of cool glasses you can get out there. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Cyndi, so happy that you stopped by and think of you often. I know we are both truly so busy, but always so glad when you can stop in and say hi!! And seriously was so happy to share this here today, because from my own issues, as well as Kevin’s this one hit a bit close to home for us, too. And thank you also for sharing and honestly didn’t know that about your vision. And you are right lots of awesome glasses out there now. When I was younger not so much, but now the possibilities are endless 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
I've been lucky and have not needed glasses or contacts yet but am a very big fan of regular eye exams. One friend of mine has ocular melanoma (cancer in the eye) and it's a husk now (benign) because of regular eye exams. They caught it in time!! Your first pair of glasses is too cute!!!
Janine Huldie says
So glad they caught the ocular melanoma in your friend's eye early enough and just scary how that could have turned out differently if they hadn't. Thank you so much for sharing and I really did love my pink, little Lucy glasses!! 🙂
Amanda Love says
I have 20/15 vision so have never had need for it but I know it's very important to have your eyes checked. It can play an important role in learning. If you can't see what's on the board or in your book, you'll never know what's going on. We get our vision checked once a year. Just like you take care of your teeth you should also take care of your eyes.
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Janine Huldie says
Very true about taking care of both your eyes and teeth. I will say though you are truly lucky with your vision and hoping both my girls will somehow get lucky, too. Fingers crossed for them now.
Billybuc says
I agree completely Janine. I've been wearing glasses since I was five and I know all too well how important this is. Thanks for promoting eye care and have a great Wednesday.
Janine Huldie says
Sounds like we had similar fates and just more we had in common with our eyes. Truly was my pleasure to share a bit about my own journey, as well as Kevin's too. Just hoping to help others out with this now, if I can. Have a wonderful Wednesday now, too!! 🙂
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I need to take all my big kids to get their eye checked. When they were younger and they had yearly physicals, they all got their eyes screens. Now, it has been a while since they had their vision screened. I need to make 6 visits soon. When I was going up we did not go to the eye doctor. At age 20, I went to the eye doctor for the first time ever. I was blind and needed glasses. I remember the first time I could see everything. It was amazing.
Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Diane Roark
recipesforourdailybread
Janine Huldie says
Wow, I can't even imagine going to 20 years old before needing glasses and just glad you got them when you did to help you see better. My girls also now get yearly exams at the pediatrician, where I spend extra money out of pocket to make sure they get the most thorough exam, because of both mine and Kevin's issues as kids with our vision, too. Happy to share 🙂
dishofdailylife says
Important info here! I have to say I have been remiss about it though. I do need "cheaters" and they do eye exams at the pediatrician. My son had glasses to correct a tracking problem when he was little but he hated wearing them. Fortunately he doesn't need them anymore.
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Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks so much Michelle for sharing with me and also for tweeting this today, too. And just so glad your son doesn't need his glasses anymore and truly understand, because I wasn't a fan that I had to wear them as I was growing up either.
Ida says
I agree, vision tests are extremely important. My brother and I have terrible vision problems, to the point where neither of us is a candidate for LASIK yet. My son has 20/20 vision and I am adamant on getting this checked annually. My step-son is supposed to wear glasses but his mother doesn't like how he looks in them so she doesn't put them on him. Stupid, I know! Poor kid has lots of issues.
Janine Huldie says
So sorry Ida that neither of you weren't candidates and will tell you that LASIK was one of the best things that I did and was able to do. That said, because of all my issues, as well as my husband's, too, I am also adamant that my kids get tested yearly and make sure that I keep on their vision as they grow up. And also very sorry for your step-son and sounds like his mom isn't helping him with his vision issues and that is just truly sad to me.
day-with-kt.com says
I'm a stickler for those yearly eye tests!! I started wearing glasses at age 5 and wore them (or contacts) until I was 37 and finally had Lasik. Now I'm to the point where I need reading glasses but sort of refuse to admit it!!!
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Janine Huldie says
I love knowing you had Lasik, too. I only know one other person who did, my father-in-law and my husband will not even think about it. But glass to hear it worked for you and I know I had it done when I was very young, but always wonder if there will come a day when I will still need reading glasses as I get older, too.
Dana says
Do you still have those glasses from when you were a kid, or is that an old photo? Love your Lucy case. I do need to make vision appointments for my kids – it's been awhile. Thanks for the reminder!
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Janine Huldie says
I totally still have those. My mom actually kept them and as I was writing this article I asked her if she had them. She whipped them out and I took the picture you see here. 🙂
chelle says
My first born daughter needed glasses when she was 18 months old. I was devastated, and worried she would be teased or have difficulty with it. The exact opposite has occurred. She embraces her glasses (she is now 9) and has never been teased as far as I know. We have always been very diligent about seeing the eye doctor yearly.
This post was so well done!
Janine Huldie says
So glad that it turned out so well for your daughter and I know I would have been a wreck if I was told this about one of my girls they were that little. Thank you for sharing this with me today and honestly my pleasure to share on such an important topic.
realhousewife says
Thanks for the reminder! I need to set my middle daughter up for an eye exam…she gets the cheats at the Pediatrician and had one a week ago or so…but I am still not convinced it was good enough.
Dave had LASIK eye surgery too…my mom was a nurse at the facility where he had it done…he's so glad! Examining fine print on documents for so many years ruined his eyes…now he's back to good!
Janine Huldie says
Glad Dave is back to good now and know that LASIK (from first hand experience) really does work. And happy to share and remind here 🙂
stephanie2006 says
Thank you for this very important message, Janine. Both of our girls have glasses, Violet even got them at age 2, after one of her eyes wasn't able to focus any more. It turned out that her vision was so bad that her brain has stopped using that eye, which means she cannot see 3-dimensional. Last year, she has also developed a severe astigmatism in one eye. Lily's vision has slowly gotten better, but Violet may be a candidate for eye surgery later. Early vision exams are so important for kids!
Janine Huldie says
Poor Violet and I wanted to cry just reading your comment here about this. I seriously hope she doesn't need eye surgery, but if she does that it is quick and that it does help her. I definitely agree with you on this and was so happy to be able to talk about the importance of vision exams for little kids.
Sandy_Ramsey says
My daughter has worn glasses since first grade. Her vision is really bad and gets worse every year. We are considering OrthoK for her this year which corneal reshaping with a hard lens. It's less invasive than Lasik but we may have to go in that direction one day. I KNOW I need to go to the eye…..I just keep putting it off. It's like you're watching me…and you know….
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Janine Huldie says
I am also watching, lol! No seriously though, I hope your daughter gets the OrthoK and that it will indeed help reshape her cornea. I totally needed a bit of re-shaping for my cornea and had a very bad astigmatism right before I got the LASIK and know for a fact that that wasn't helping my vision one bit either.
tamaralikecamera says
I am so fascinated by Lasik!! So you see perfectly now?? 20/500 is quite..well…different from 20/20.
My sister needed glasses when she was around eight, but they weren't nearly as cute as yours, I must admit.
I have a low prescription for night driving glasses. I can feel it getting worse with computer strain and age. I know I'll need glasses (or contacts or Lasik) one day as surely as I know I'll need to dye my hair when it goes all gray!
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Janine Huldie says
I already dye my hair gray and gave into that fully after having my girls, lol! As for Lasik, it worked perfectly and ended up with 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other. Never had to go back to glasses or contacts after it. It has been almost 15 years and still see perfectly. So, I would totally recommend if you ever did need it 🙂
Nellie says
I didn't know you had Lasik surgery! My husband's eyesight is so bad! He might need that one day. Mine is fine for now, but my moms got bad after 40 so we shall see!
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Janine Huldie says
Totally did and hope your eyesight remains steady, but if you are your husband do end up needing or getting LASIK, you can ask me anything about it and would be happy to share 🙂
Brittnei Washington says
We definitely need to get our eyes checked! It's been a while since I've done it. I've never had any issues with my eyes thus far and neither has hubby. We're hoping that will last for years to come. I was thinking when you said that sometimes kids feel weird needing to wear glasses how perhaps I could get everyone in the family glasses so he or should wouldn't feel so awkward 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
Totally hope your eyes stay good for years to come and love your idea for kids with glasses, too!! 🙂
flemily says
I agree…my husband and I both wear contacts, but we didn't need glasses until we were both in college. We were surprised when our youngest at age 8 already needed glasses. At first he just needed them for distance, but his vision has gotten worse so he will likely need to wear them for sports and other times. He has asked to wear contacts like us and the eye doctor said (he's now 10) that we could try so we now have a training session set up for him…we'll see how it goes!
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Janine Huldie says
Yay to the contacts and seriously hope it goes well for him. I remember having to wait until I was a teen, because the eye doctor back then thought that too young could harm my eyes more. But glad that isn't the case now and that your son can indeed get them 🙂
Rosey says
We get our eyes checked every year, and it's a good thing too since my daughter ended up needing glasses. I wouldn't have known it if we hadn't gone because she didn't notice she needed them. It's a slight vision correction but she still gets a kick out of looking at things w/her glasses on the tip of her nose so she can see the 'before' and 'after' corrected vision. 🙂
Do you love your Lasik?
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Janine Huldie says
Glad your daughter's vision was caught in a routine check and is minor, too. And yes, I do totally love my LASIK surgery to this day, because it really did help my vision improve and then some!! 🙂
Lady LIlith says
I agree with you about the regular vision tests. My little one needs glasses and it has really helped her.
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Janine Huldie says
Glad it has helped your little one and thank you so much for stopping by and sharing today, too.
gigigirl says
Excellent advice Janine. We have had more than our share of vision problems in the family so we know the importance of regular exams. Without them I would probably be visually impaired due to glaucoma….my ophthalmologist detected early stages years ago and due to early treatment, my vision has been saved. And cataract surgery has given me better vision than I had before. And wearing glasses has become a fashion statement! So glad your Lasik was successful and you are still seeing well without glasses. Thanks for this post. Love, Aunt Gloria
Janine Huldie says
My pleasure and I know really is totally in the family and very genetic based. Just glad we both have had success and re seeing so much better these days!! Love you, too!! 🙂
Justin Knight says
I have always had excellent vision, but suddenly, I can't see a thing. I keep complaining that the writing on labels is getting so small. I has things to my wife to read for me because I can't see the letters. What I really need is to have my eyes checked. Thanks for the push!
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Janine Huldie says
Happy to give you the push and trust I am sorry you have been having trouble seeing writing in labels lately.